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TIL that ladybugs are also called ladybirds (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/todayilearned@lemmy.ml
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I am Australian and have always known it exclusively as the American term “ladybug”. Never heard of ladybird before.

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[–] 0 points 3 years ago (2 children)

We call them ladybirds in the UK. No idea why.

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  • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Santa Maria is the lady in question. The bird part could be a corruption of 'beetle' maybe? Or perhaps just it just sounded more poetic.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    Germany: Marienkäfer (Mary’s beetle)

    France: la bete a bon Dieu (good God’s animal)

    Russia: Bozhya korovka (God’s little cow)

    Greece: paschalitsa (little Easter)

    Portugal: joaninha (little Joanne)

    Spain: mariquita (little Maria)

    Wales: buwch goch gota (small red cow)

    Scotland: daolag-bhreac (speckled beetle)

    Slovenia: pikapolonica (spotty bug)

    Argentina: Vaquita de San Antonio (St. Anthony’s small cow)

    Stolen from https://www.nickybay.com/ladybird-beetles-brief-history-behind-name-lady/

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