Re: Butterflies

Christian Köttl skrev:
>>
>> I'm fond of the Norwegian word for moth, _nattsvermer_. _natt_ is
>> "night" but _svermer_ can come from two words, _sverm_ "swarm" or the
>> verb _sverme_ "to be infatuated with, to have a crush on". I suspect the
>> "swarm" is the correct meaning but oh so much more poetic if they are
>> poor winged bugs flying about in the night, hopelessly in love with the
>> light?
>>
>>
>> t.
>
>
> The word "Nachtschwärmer" is used in German as well, although I hear
> "Nachtfalter" more often, and as your Norwegian example, it goes back to
> "schwärmen" which is related to the English "swarm". And it has both
> meanings: insects buzzing around (and metaphorical also people),
> especially bees leaving their hive, and to have a knack for something.
> If I "schwärme" for Mozart, than I adore him. Btw, a "Nachtschwärmer" is
> not only a moth, but also a person who is still hanging or wandering
> around late at night.
>
> - Christian
>
>
I wish the metaphorical use of Swedish _nattfjäril_ was as decent, but
it isn't.  It means "female prostitute seeking customers at night" :(

--

/BP 8^)>
--
Benct Philip Jonsson -- melroch at melroch dot se

         Solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant!
                                             (Tacitus)