So why is it called the birds and the bees? Where did it originate and which is which?

um sounds dumb but I always figured the bees were the guys because bees sting you (penetration) and birds lay eggs (woman giving birth) and seem more femanine.


Thats all Ive got. I never really understood though. My parents just actaully talk to me.So why is it called the birds and the bees? Where did it originate and which is which?
The Cole Porter song is often cited as the source of the phrase but it isn't so.





The true origin of this phrase comes from the work of John Burroughs, a naturalist who lived and worked in the Catskills Mountains. He wrote a small pamphlet called ';Birds and Bees: Essays'; in which he explained how nature worked in a way that children could understand. He talked about how the instinct in nature is to ';build a nest'; or a home and to take care of their young. His work was published by Houghton, Mifflin, Company.So why is it called the birds and the bees? Where did it originate and which is which?
Birds do it


Bees do it


Why don't we do it


Lets do it


Lets fall in Love





Cole Porter sang that about the Birds and Bees back in the 1960's. Yes it's a lame song, but you get the idea.