Why are they called supers?

[David LaFerney]

Anyone know?

[Kathyp]

my best guess :-)

su·per·im·pose 
Pronunciation: \ˌsü-pər-im-ˈpōz\
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1794
: to place or lay over or above something <superimposed images> <superimposed a formula on the stories>
— su·per·im·pos·able  \-ˈpō-zə-bəl\ adjective
— su·per·im·po·si·tion  \-ˌim-pə-ˈzi-shən\ noun

[Natalie]

There was a thread on this a couple of months ago but now I can't locate it.
There was two possibilities brought up, I recall the word supernova being used and the latin word for super.
Sorry that doesn't exactly help but it may job someone's memory.

[Ernest T. Bass]

Here's a guess:

su⋅per⋅flu⋅ous
–adjective
1.    being more than is sufficient or required; excessive.

[Pond Creek Farm]

What Kathy says does make sense.  To move superiorly means to move up, whereas to move inferior means to move down.  Anterior to the front, posterior to the rear, laterally to the outside and medially to the middle. I guess that supers are boxes put on top.  If this line of nomenclature rings true, I suppose those that put "supers" below the brood box are putitng on inferiors. (my attempt at bee humor and not a comment on the wisdom of honey boxes added to the bottom of a hive:))  

[David LaFerney]

Ok, now I looked it up in Webster's and it says this

"Super - short for superhive - a removable top story on a beehive."

It also says that super means above or on top of.  I don't usually even think of using the dictionary any more.  Sorry about that.

[Kathyp]

I suppose those that put "supers" below the brood box are putitng on inferiors

i like to inferior my hive!!

[Scadsobees]

I thought it was because when one goes out to his or her hives and see those boxes crammed full of honey, they will proclaim "that's SUPER!!!"  :-D

[Michael Bush]

Super is Latin for above.  Plain and simple.  Originally all Langstroth and Dadant hives had one brood box and supers.  Supers are anything above the brood box.

[luvin honey]

I thought it was because when one goes out to his or her hives and see those boxes crammed full of honey, they will proclaim "that's SUPER!!!"  :-D

Hah! That's exactly what I was going to post, and then I saw yours  :-D