How did the phrase the birds and the bees originate?

Unknown but thought to originate with writer S. T. Coleridge:

"word sleuths William and Mary Morris hint that it may have been inspired by words like these from the poet Samuel Coleridge: 'All nature seems at work ... The bees are stirring--birds are on the wing ... and I the while, the sole unbusy thing, not honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.'"

Popularized by the song master "Even birds and bees do it, Let's fall in love."

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