Contents
The term ‘the bees knees’ is one you might hear frequently in English conversations. It can sound a little funny if you are not sure what it means. It is not a saying which is talking about the joints of an insect, but what does it mean and where did it come from?
Bees Knees Meaning, Origin and Usage
Key Takeaways
- The phrase “bee’s knees” is a fun, old-fashioned way of saying something or someone is excellent, outstanding, or the best. It’s often used in a playful or lighthearted manner to express admiration for something wonderful.
Bees Knees Meaning
The phrase “bee’s knees” is an idiomatic expression that means something is excellent, outstanding, or of the highest quality. It is often used to convey admiration or approval for a person, thing, or idea. The origin of the phrase is somewhat unclear, but it gained popularity in the 1920s as part of a series of similar expressions (like “the cat’s pajamas”) that used animal references to signify something exceptional.
Examples:
- “That new restaurant is the bee’s knees; you have to try it!”
- “Her performance in the play was the bee’s knees; she really stole the show.”
In essence, saying something is “the bee’s knees” conveys that it is regarded highly and is considered superb or delightful.
Origin of This Idiom
The term was originally used in the 1920s and is believed to have come from the word ‘business.’ When someone would say that something was ‘the business’ they would be saying that it was excellent. This term then evolved into the bees knees which kept the same meaning.
Usage of Bees Knees
- Complimenting someone:
“I love your new dress! It’s the bee’s knees.”
- Talking about a great experience:
“That concert last night was the bee’s knees! I had such a great time.”
- Praising food:
“You have to try the chocolate cake at this bakery. It’s the bee’s knees!”
- Describing an excellent product:
“This new smartphone is the bee’s knees. It’s got all the latest features and works perfectly.”
Related Terms to “Bees Knees”
- Cat’s pajamas – another phrase from the same era meaning something outstanding or excellent.
- The best – indicating something of the highest quality or standard.
- Top-notch – of the highest quality or standard.
- Cream of the crop – the best of a particular group or category.
- A-1 – of the highest quality or excellent.
- First-rate – of the best quality; excellent.
- Ace – excellent or outstanding; can refer to a person who is highly skilled.
- The cat’s whiskers – similar to “bee’s knees,” meaning someone or something outstanding.
- Exceptional – unusually good; outstanding.
- Marvelous – causing great wonder; extraordinarily good.
Other Ways to Say the Phrase
There are plenty of other ways to express how brilliant something is, some of these could include sayings such as;
- The cats whiskers
- The crème de la crème
- Best of a group of people
- Champion
- Cream of the crop
- Top of the range
“Bees Knees” Examples
Example Sentences
Times where you might use the term ‘the bees knees’ would be to describe, for example, a party you attended:
- ‘That party last night was so good, it was the bees knees.’
You might also use it to describe a person you think particularly highly of, for example, you might say:
- ‘My mother is so kind and giving, she really is the bees knees.’
Conversation Examples
When using the saying the bees knees in a conversation, it might sound a bit like one of these examples.
Conversation 1:
- Person 1: “I am looking at buying a new computer.”
- Person 2: “You should try the new Apple one, it’s the bees knees.”
Conversation 2:
- Person 1: “I am so happy to have met my new friend, Charlotte.”
- Person 2: “Why is that?”
- Person 1: “She is so funny and we have a great time together. But she is also caring and would do anything for anyone.”
- Person 2: “It sounds like she’s the bees knees.”
- Adverbs Worksheet – Adverbs Exercises - December 21, 2023
- What Does the Term “Rapport” Mean? - November 28, 2023
- What Does the Term “Solidarity” Mean? - November 28, 2023