TIL that ladybugs are also called ladybirds
TIL that ladybugs are also called ladybirds
I am Australian and have always known it exclusively as the American term “ladybug”. Never heard of ladybird before.
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We call them ladybirds in the UK. No idea why.
Santa Maria is the lady in question. The bird part could be a corruption of 'beetle' maybe? Or perhaps just it just sounded more poetic.
Germany: Marienkäfer (Mary’s beetle)
France: la bete a bon Dieu (good God’s animal)
Russia: Bozhya korovka (God’s little cow)
Greece: paschalitsa (little Easter)
Portugal: joaninha (little Joanne)
Spain: mariquita (little Maria)
Wales: buwch goch gota (small red cow)
Scotland: daolag-bhreac (speckled beetle)
Slovenia: pikapolonica (spotty bug)
Argentina: Vaquita de San Antonio (St. Anthony’s small cow)
Stolen from https://www.nickybay.com/ladybird-beetles-brief-history-behind-name-lady/