Which is the most likely explanation for how the butterfly got its name? (来源：www.EnglishCN.com)

A: From a long ago belief that butterflies (or witches in the shape of butterflies) steal milk and butter;
B: Butterfly is an alteration of flutter-by, a pretty description of what these pretty flyers do; or
C: The butter in butterfly comes from the yellowish color often found on the wings of this flying insect.

Everyone make their selection? Good. Now we can reveal that neither entomologists nor etymologists—not to mention etymologists with an interest in entomology—know for certain. It is true that the yellow brimstone butterfly was once quite common. And without a doubt, the butterfly does flutter, or wave its wings.

It turns out, however, that the word butterfly is as old as English itself, and while etymologists suspect butterflies came by that name because of a long ago belief that butterflies (or people with supernatural powers who took the shape of butterflies) were once believed to steal dairy products, they are not able to substantiate that theory.

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