skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Phrase of the day 4/10

jim_1 (Zone 5B)

5 years ago

Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home

The ladybug of this famous children’s rhyme is a beetle so called after Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, and it received its name as a tribute for its valuable work in devouring harmful insects such as aphids and scale insects. In England it is know the “ladybird” and the most popular version of the rhyme there runs: “Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, /Hour house is on fire, your children at home;/One is upstairs making the beds,/The others downstairs are crying for bread.” It is said that British schoolchildren regard finding a ladybird on the way to school as an omen of good fortune for the day.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
Unfortunately, we are inundated with asian lady beetles which are not the same as lady bugs...note the white markings to help distinguish between the two.
salonva
5 years ago
oh that was a delightful explanation.

Annie, not so much. I haven't heard about this ( though the lantern fly is unfortunately a real horror around here). Not sure in real life that I would be sure which was which.
Related Discussions
Phrase of the day 1/10
Q
Comments (3)
One of my favorite episodes... https://youtu.be/9efgLHgsBmM
...See More
Phrase of the day 4/4
Q
Comments (5)
That's another one of those common sayings that I've said and heard without giving it much thought - Thanks.
...See More
Phrase of the day 4/24
Q
Comments (3)
Wow did I learn something from this! I always thought "take a powder" was like "take a chill pill" and it referred to snuff or smelling salts or other things they'd use to calm down "hysterical" women in Victorian times. So much for what I know!
...See More
Phrase of the day 4/27
Q
Comments (0)
Wash one’s hands When you wash your hands of something, you have dismissed it from your attention and plan to pay it no further heed. The expression comes from the action of Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:24): “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.”
...See More
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
One fall they all came out at once and were all over the outside of our house...then they got in and were all over the place. You can tell because they have a lot more white on their head. And they can leave an unpleasant smell.

Related Stories

TILE 10 Reasons to Consider 4-by-4-Inch Tile

By Becky Harris

Designers are embracing the once common but recently overlooked square tile in kitchens and bathrooms

DECORATING GUIDES Mission Possible: A Designer Decorates a Blank Apartment in 4 Days

By Becky Harris

Four days and $10,000 take an apartment from bare to all-there. Get the designer's daily play-by-play

KIDS’ SPACES 10 Ways to Entertain Kids on Rainy Days

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Make a few imagination-friendly room adjustments now to keep your kids busy — and your sanity intact — when nasty weather hits

MOST POPULAR Get Organized: Take a 10-Day Simplification Challenge

By Becky Harris

Organizational expert Emily Ley helps us get a jump-start on our New Year’s clear-outs

HOUSEKEEPING 10 Tips to Streamline Laundry Day

By Laura Gaskill

Little adjustments to your attitude and routine can help take the wrinkles out of doing the wash

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Craft Ideas for Lazy Summer Days

By Laura Gaskill

Put those beach finds and extra time to good use — even the kids can do some of these creative projects

LIFE 10 Feel-Better Things to Do on a Sick Day at Home

By Laura Gaskill

Nourish, pamper and heal yourself when a cold keeps you housebound, with these restorative ideas

ORGANIZING 10 Ways to Store That New Father’s Day Tie

By Bryan Anthony

Glass cabinets, drawer organizers and curtain rods are among the clever options for showing off your collection

ROOM OF THE DAY Design Ideas From 2016’s Top 10 Rooms of the Day

By Bryan Anthony

This year’s favorite rooms offer design inspiration from the bathroom to the basement

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Garden Projects to Do for Mom as Mother’s Day Gifts

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Host an alfresco meal or plant a shade tree as a gift to honor the special women in your life

Sponsored

17 Reviews

The Leading Interior Design Studio in Franklin County

More Discussions

Lettuce and salad greens avoidance?

162

Friday/Weekend Quiz

9

Spots on my philodendron.

2

I'll show you mine/ysmy - Su 8/9/26

22

Smile today - 8/9/26

7