Exercise

1. Does the expression the bees knees mean:

a) something is the best

b) something is the worst

2. When did the expression originate?

Answers

1. Something is the best.

2. The 1930s. 

Read

You’re listening to British Council’s English Online and I’m Nina. Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression the bee’s knees.

Let’s listen to the dialogue.

A: I like your new computer. Is it a Mac?

B: Yes, it’s the bee’s knees - I love it.

The bee’s knees what a funny expression – can you guess what it means? It’s actually used to describe something that is the best or most desirable. Apparently it originates from the 1930s when it was quite fashionable to make funny little expressions like this one.

Do you like this website - I think it’s the bee’s knees?

And that’s it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks. You’ve been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.