I was astonished, ladies and gentlemen, to learn of the investigation by the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) into the origin of the idiom — to run around like a blue-arsed fly; an idiom that means to be very busy. In particular, I was surprised by the OED’s initial proposition that the origin of the phrase could be traced to a 1970 quote by HRH Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh. As many older Aussies can tell you, the phrase has been around at least as far back as the 1950s and probably longer. I was also surprised to learn that the phrase may actually have its genesis in another country – America. I’ll be blowed! (Word nerds can read about it here and here.)
Well, what got me thinking about this idiom? It was my Philotheca myoporoides. It is flowering profusely at the moment and the bees and flies love it. I’ve never seen a blue-arsed fly before, but now I have. Technically though, it is a blue-abdomened fly. Now now, no need to split hairs. So the thought process was inevitable. Wanna see the fly? Ta da.
I can’t stop at just one fly photo. Check out this gorgeous little hoverfly.
As the Minnie Riperton song goes:
“No one else can make me feel
The colors that you bring
Stay with me while we grow old
And we will live each day in springtime.”
Coincidentally, or maybe not, it is that time again. Time for another song. Because it is Friday. You guessed it. Sing it with me.
This is my response to Terri’s Sunday Stills — It’s A Bugs Life, and the Ragtag Daily Prompt — Insanity. I know. It makes no sense.
Kind Regards.
Tracy
Great captures Tracy and I especially love your image of the hoverfly, such a sweetie! 🤗💖 xxx
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Thank you, Xenia. They were my TL’s photos, but he dismissed my suggestion that I credit him. I love those little hoverflies. Their whole body vibrates as they hover.
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I love those hoverflies and so do my wildflowers which have now all faded and wilted under the frost. I never heard of blue-assed flies. In my world they’re called blue-bottle flies and this is THEIR season in Monte Vista. Late September/October they’re a pestilence. Forgive me for not listening to the song, but I remember it. 😉
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Heehee, Martha. I wanted to ask whether you got the high notes. My intention was a little devilish when I put that song up. 🙂
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I used to hear this song all the time on my way to work at Head Ski in Boulder. It kind of brings back some memories over which I feel regret… 😦
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😦
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I was a fool…
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Makes you human.
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I guess I got that sewed up then! 😀
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So the Kiwis have claimed Pavlova and now the Brits think they originated this expression. We don’t have much left to take credit for, do we? 🙂
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No, not much left in this very small world, Vanda.
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Great photos, and I learned a new phrase, which despite being American, I’ve never heard. Fun!
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There is probably a good reason why the saying didn’t take off there, Steph. 😁
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Hi Tracy, Glad you could join us for Sunday Stills! Stunning close-ups of the blue-arsed flies! I had heard of the phrase and often feel like that when too busy!
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Hi Terri, I’ve been looking forward to participating for a while. Probably should have been a bit more polite for my first go though. 😁
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Amazing photos! Well, it does have an Aussie ring to it but American origin! Hard to believe!
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Thank you, Punam. We are a bit crass here so it probably suits the Aussie vernacular much better. 🙂
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You are welcome, Tracy. I wouldn’t say crass, maybe ‘earthy’ would be more suitable! 🙂
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I like your thinking, Punam. 🙂
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Had many Australian teachers when in school, so have high regard for Aussies. And those I have met in the blogosphere, have reinforced that liking. 🙂
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Ah, thank you, Punam. I would like to hear the story about how you came to have many Australian teachers when you have time to tell it. 🙂
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You are welcome, Tracy. I always have time to talk about my Australian teachers! I studied in a school run by Jesuits. Our principal and vice principal were from Australia. We would also always have a couple of young Australian volunteers to teach at school. They would stay on for a few years and then be replaced by others. They were a huge influence on us and the reason I have a warm spot for Aussies. 🙂
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I am glad it worked out well, Punam. Sex abuse by clergy has left a tarnish on religious schools in Australia. It is nice to know there were some good teachers in the religious school system.
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That was quite some time ago, Tracy. They were the best. Our school flourished under them. There is sex abuse by clergy here too but thankfully most schools have remained untouched.
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A blue arsed fly is a blue arsed fly!!! Great photos Tracy. A great song for Saturday morning 🙂
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😄 But more importantly, did you hit the high notes, Brian?
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No Tracy 😀
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🙂
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Love the photos Tracy. I’m fascinated by how even the smallest phrase can become contested cultural property. I do it as much as anyone (woe betide anyone who calls Scottish inventions and culture English 😉), but I do wonder why it matters so much to us.
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Thanks Su. Perhaps it matters because it is so much part of our identity? (PS. n
Now I’m having a panic attack because I referred to Darren as an Englishman in a previous comment. What if he is a Scot or Welsh?!!)
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I’m pretty sure he’s English 😀
I’m sure you are right about identity, and I guess part of what bothers me is how invested people become in an identity acquired so often as an accident of birth. And how easily it slips into xenophobia.
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Phew.
It certainly is easy to slip into xenophobia, or any sort of intolerance, particularly when the thinking of “others” clashes with our personal belief system.
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Oh my gosh, I never thought I’d fall in love with a fly. Your images are gorgeous!
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Thank you, Heather. I have a new appreciation for them too. ❤
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A pleasure!
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The photos are gorgeous but heck if I ever heard that expression!
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Sure you don’t want to claim that one, Lois?
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Who knew that even flies are beautiful if you see them from the right angle!? 😉
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Very true, Dries. 🙂
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Tracy, Brilliant detail. Especially on the white flower.
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Thank you, Suzanne. I was thrilled with how the flowers turned out too, especially since they are only a centimetre in diameter.
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Wow, you did a fab job. We all tend to stick to the popular “cute” bee. A fly is far more interesting.
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Do you remember how you speculated that the photography could get quite competitive between me and my TL? Those were his photos. I’ve been made totally redundant. Except for maybe a bit of directing. 🙂 🙂
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IK must admit have never heard the phrase and never seen such a fly! Thanks for the mini-lesson Tracy!
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It is a phrase for close friends and the blogosphere only, Tina. 🙂
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I love to learn the story behind idioms! Your fly photos are beautiful. (I never thought I’d hear myself say that!) And a trip down memory lane with Minne Riperton. As I’m reading people’s blogs, I’m constantly amazed at the number of songs I once knew and had forgotten.
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Thank you, Liz. You learn something new every day through other people’s blogs! 🙂 🙂
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Definitely! I’m getting a new education, and it’s all for free!!
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Incredibly beautiful! Blue-arsed fly is a great shot, I’ve never seen it before.
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I think it is just one of our many blow flies, Amy, but it looks very beautiful up close.
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So beautiful!! To see them up close is a treat. Thank you!!
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Thank you, Lisa. ❤
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What a fun read, Tracy. I needed a few giggles as we’re up to our goosenecks in house problems I’m trying to fix. I really don’t care much for flies but this little bugger is rather attractive – at least, his rear is a very pretty shade of blue. Thanks for the respite from fumigation tenting and kitchen flood mop ups. Oh, and it’s nice to know that the USA is responsible for something much nicer than the orange haired psycho who thinks he’s in charge of running the world – OK, not going there. I’m running around like a blue-arsed fly, trying to patch up my old house.
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Thanks Sharon. A very fitting idiom for you. House repair and maintenance is a real chore. You have my sympathies. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
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Great photos and, sadly, a commonly used phrase around here!
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Thanks Darren. I can imagine.
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Fun learning about the idiom, Tracy! And beautiful shots by your TL. 😄 When you’re busy in German then you have ‘bumblebees in your behind’ (‘Hummeln im Hintern’). 😄 But don’t ask me why. 😂
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What a wonderful German saying, Sarah. Love it.
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☺
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oh! breathtaking pics!
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Thanks Dawn. My True Love has an eye for the wonder in nature.
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He’s a keeper, Tracy!
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Sure is, Dawn.
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🙂
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Beautiful photos of these lovely little pollinators!
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Thank you for dropping by and sharing in the joy of these lovely bugs. 🙂
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