SCIENCE

Butterflies: Verbal Fuck-Up or Butt Butter?

The conundrum of species naming conventions

It’s a question that plagues my mind— how did butterflies get their name? You would think it would be pretty easy to find out, but apparently not. So, I thought I knew, because it made sense. And because it was so funny that I wanted it to be true — I’m easily amused.

I was convinced the Butterfly was named when someone meant to say:

Look at that pretty creature flutter by.

And they did that thing where you mix up the start of words and said:

Look at that pretty creature butter fly.

You’re welcome.

THAT makes sense. It does to me at least. And it’s just amusing.

But, of course, science has another suggestion. At first, I thought I was going to be disappointed, but I gotta say, it’s a solid back-up (all the puns intended).

This, from Dr. Naomi Cappuccino (seems a little questionable, but that’s a real name) of the Biology Department at Carlton University!

Butterflies might be named for the colour of their excrement. Old Dutch had the term “boterschijte”, which literally means “butter $#!t” (trying to keep this family friendly!)

So butterflies are potentially named as such because they crap butter. I am totally ok with this suggestion.

How many butterflies do I need to scare to butter my toast?

References — because solid research y’all!

Cappuccino, N 2020, “Why are butterflies called Butterflies?” Carlton University, October 8, viewed 27 November 2021, .

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