What Does “Thought a Bee Shit Himself” Mean?
Someone who thinks very highly of themselves — acting like they are the most important person in the room.
The full meaning
If someone 'thinks a bee shit himself' they have an inflated ego and act as though they are incredibly special or important. It describes arrogance or self-importance, usually said about a third person who is showing off or acting above their station. The image is deliberately absurd — a bee is tiny, so thinking a bee defecating is a major event signals laughably misplaced self-importance.
Where “thought a bee shit himself” comes from
An old American expression dating back to the mid-20th century, popular in the 1950s and 60s. It belongs to a tradition of colorful, image-driven American folk sayings used to cut down people who were getting too big for their boots. Suggested to SlangBridge by Pete, a user from the United States — proof that good slang never fully dies.
How it’s actually used
Always used in third person to describe someone else's arrogance. 'He walked in like he thought a bee shit himself' means he acted like the most important person alive. The phrase is rare today but immediately understood by older American English speakers.
✔ For parents & teachers
The word 'shit' makes this one unsuitable for younger children, but the phrase itself is purely about arrogance and ego. It is old-fashioned American folk slang with no other hidden meanings.
Related slang
Last updated: 2026-07-25. Slang evolves fast, we review definitions regularly.