The Bee's knees (Origin)

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "The Bee's knees"?

The term the bee's knees means excellent.

The bee's knees is thought to refer to the concentration of pollen around a bee's knee.

A Competing Theory

The term it's the business is commonly used in England, particularly around London. The term the business means exactly what it's supposed to be (i.e. excellent). Bee's knees is possibly a corruption of business.

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The Bee's knees (Origin)

Examples of Use:

  • This new bar is the bee's knees. Look how busy it is already.
  • Can I have another slice? The cake is the bee's knees.
  • You're the bee's knees! Thanks for doing the washing up.

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What are idioms? What is figurative language? A list of common grammar errors A list of easily confused words A list of sayings and proverbs