Etymology

bumblebee model

Today it means: An effective field theory describing a vector field with a vacuum expectation value that spontaneously breaks Lorentz symmetry. Full definition →

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The story

Coined by Kostelecký, in reference to the fact that bumblebees' ability to fly has sometimes been questioned on theoretical grounds, and yet they do fly successfully.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.