Mental Floss Explains Why Butterflies Are Called Butterflies

Mental Floss host Craig Benzine explains why butterflies are called butterflies in a recent episode of the series Big Questions, and in doing so dispels the myth that they used to be “flutterbys.”

This week, “MadeofAwesome4ever” asks, “I’ve heard that butterflies were once called ‘flutterbys’, and that people mishearing/mispronouncing it changed it to ‘butterfly’. is this true? If not, why are butterflies called ‘butterflies’?”

Glen Tickle
Glen Tickle

Amelia's dad. Steph's husband. Writer, comedian, gentleman. Good at juggling, bad at chess.