Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun idiomatic, dated Something
excellent ,outstanding .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Unknown. One of many such informal phrases coined in the early 20th century for no apparent reason, of which only a few have endured. One possible origin is from the British expression "B's and E's" meaning "be all and end all". Another is a playful mispronunciation of business.
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Examples
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oroboros commented on the word bee's knees
See Cat's pajamas.
May 23, 2007
john commented on the word bee's knees
Flapper lingo for "excellent". According to this site, an early printed reference is from The Newark Advocate, April 1922.
September 28, 2007
reesetee commented on the word bee's knees
Ah, Newark. No wonder. ;-)
September 28, 2007
bestiary commented on the word bee's knees
it's a shame the use of "a bee's knee" in the sense of smallness is so long outmoded. can you think of any image that surpasses its cuteness?
July 22, 2008
plethora commented on the word bee's knees
Think of a bee,
You are its knees.
You waft through me like a summer's breeze.
Can I come 'round Tuesday please?
-- Bernard L. Black, Black Books
July 31, 2008
hernesheir commented on the word bee's knees
cf. terms which did not survive their 1920's origin such as "elephant's instep", "cat's whiskers", "eel's ankle", and snake's hip".
Wordies: Go find some old-time radio show transcripts or book records to pin these terms down to a time or place!
January 11, 2009