bee

Where does the word "bee" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic bijǭ, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Bee’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: bijǭ meant “bee.” German 'Biene' is a cousin. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as bēo. An Anglo-Saxon charm for settling a swarm of bees is among the oldest English charms. It reached English by 1500s as bee. A 'spelling bee' is American, from the 1870s, like the older 'quilting bee': a gathering of busy workers. Today, bee means a winged insect that collects nectar and makes honey.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient bijǭ "bee", German 'Biene' is a cousin.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s bēo "bee", an Anglo-Saxon charm for settling a swarm of bees is among the oldest English charms.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s bee "bee", a 'spelling bee' is American, from the 1870s, like the older 'quilting bee': a gathering of busy workers.