Borer Bee
In Southern and Appalachian speech, a "borer bee" is a carpenter bee - a large bee that bores holes into wood. The name comes from their habit of drilling into porches, barns, and fence posts.
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synonyms: carpenter bee, wood bee
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Those bees that mess up the deck - we've always called 'em 'borer bees.' This one's common. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Those bees that mess up the deck - we've always called 'em 'borer bees.' This one's common. Pronunciation
[BOHR-ur bee] /ˈbɔːr.ər biː/
Meaning & Usage
- Carpenter bee (noun, dialect)
Clara:
What’s that loud buzzin’ on the porch?
What’s that loud buzzin’ on the porch?
Elmer:
Just a borer bee makin’ another hole in the railin’.
Just a borer bee makin’ another hole in the railin’.variations: carpenter bee, wood bee, wood borer
Origin and Etymology
The name borer bee comes from the insect’s habit of boring into wood to build nests. While the standard name is carpenter bee, the Southern and Appalachian nickname reflects plain description of what they do. It has been in regional use for generations.
Usage Notes
- Borer bee is the Southern/Appalachian name for the carpenter bee.
- Commonly used in rural households where the bees drill into barns, houses, and porches.
- Also called wood bees or wood borers in some areas.