Original name of butterfly

The word "butterfly" may have originated from "flutterby," referring to the insect's characteristic flight pattern. This theory suggests that over time, through metathesis (sound switching), "flutterby" evolved into "butterfly." The connection to butter is less clear but might relate to the yellow color of certain butterfly species (like the brimstone) or dairy products attracting these insects. This etymology, while popular among linguists, remains debated, as the word's actual origins trace back to Old English "buttorfleoge" and Dutch "boterschijfte."