Spring is in the air ! Well , at least , in half of the world . The amount of daylight in the northern half is increasing , day by day . And air temperatures are slowly rising . Spring is a season for growth and rebirth . Many insects , plants and even some animals are coming out of a deep , deep sleep . Bees and birds are especially active . All around life is buzzing . And for many people , spring is a time for love . And children , who seem to overhear everything interesting , might start asking questions . A few of these questions adults sometimes have trouble answering , such as “Where do babies come from ?” But such discussions can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing . Years ago , parents and even schoolteachers would call the subject of human sexuality and reproduction “the birds and the bees .” Several language websites give the English writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge credit for this expression . Let's listen to a reading from his poem "Work Without Hope ." And he is suggesting that he is not . The expression “the birds and the bees ” is unclear . It can lead to more questions and misunderstanding in a child . More often than not , it does lead to a lot of embarrassment . This is an old expression and it may sound dated . But Americans still use it , usually in a humorous way . “Last night , my mother took me to my favorite restaurant . I thought it was to celebrate my good grades . And the waiter heard ! I've never been so embarrassed in my whole life !!” But we have another expression that is a little more serious . You can simply call those details the facts of life . That song opened the 1980s television show “The Facts of Life .” We have another evasive expression involving the word “bird .” But this one lets you avoid telling from where you heard something . Let's say you overheard something you were not supposed to hear or you learned some news but don't want to say who told you . You could say “a little bird told me .” But be warned . This expression may be a bit too sweet for some people . Now let's hear how to use these expressions . Hey , I heard that you're going on a trip for a few days . Yes , I'm visiting my sister out in California . But how did you know ? I've only told one or two people here at work . Oh , a little bird told me . Anyway , don't worry . I won't say a thing . How long will you be gone ? I love spending time with my sister and her children . Those kids are so intelligent . Children these days seem so much more like adults than we were at that age . For example , they really know their way around computers and technology . Don't get me started about the birds and the bees ! I think my 12-year-old niece knows more about human reproduction than I did in my 20s ! And I suspect she doesn't call it “the birds and the bees ,” does she ? No , she does not In fact , when we talked about the facts of life , she uses all the scientific terms . Very specific language . You or her . Join us again next week when we explore the meaning of other expressions in American English .