bee in one's bonnet



bee in one's bonnet

A strange idea or notion; also, an idea that is harped on, an obsession. For example, Bill's got a bee in his bonnet about burglars; he's always imagining strange noises. This term, which replaced the earlier have bees in one's head, transfers the buzzing of a bee inside one's hat to a weird idea in one's head. [Second half of 1600s]
See also: bee, bonnet

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Gaspargah-SPAHR (Spanish)Spanish, Portuguese, Judeo-Christian Legend
Haroun-Arabic
Annushka-Russian
Mikhailu-Old Church Slavic
Orinda-English (Rare)
Evgeniyev-GYE-nee (Russian), eev-GYE-nee (Russian)Bulgarian, Russian