Spanish fly

noun

1. Also called cantharides. a preparation of powdered blister beetles, especially the Spanish fly, used medicinally as a counterirritant, diuretic, and aphrodisiac.
2. Also Spanish·fly. Also called cantharis. a common European blister beetle, Cantharis ( Lytta ) vesicatoria, that yields this preparation.

Spanish fly

noun

1. a European blister beetle, Lytta vesicatoria (family Meloidae ), the dried bodies of which yield the pharmaceutical product cantharides
2. another name for cantharides

Word History and Origins

Origin of Spanish fly¹

First recorded in 1400–50; so called from the fact that the beetles are found in abundance in Spain

Example Sentences

The column’s jokey tone — violence against women is ever so funny, right? — might recall Bill Cosby’s onstage bits about drugging women with the supposed aphrodisiac Spanish fly.

From Washington Post

Jurors at Bill Cosby’s sex assault trial in Pennsylvania will hear his explosive deposition testimony about quaaludes but not his references to the supposed aphrodisiac Spanish fly.

From Washington Times

Disco biscuits, Spanish fly and quaaludes could be on the agenda when Bill Cosby is in court for the latest showdown over evidence in his Pennsylvania sexual-assault case.

From Washington Times

“From age 11 on up to death we will still be searching for Spanish fly,” he said.

From New York Times

Cosby says in the “Childhood” book he and his friends needed the Spanish fly potion because girls were “never in the mood for us.”

From Seattle Times