The term "little phoebe" is an old-fashioned way of referring to the number five. It is likely that this term was derived from the name of a bird called the phoebe, which was once a common sight in North America. However, there are plenty of other terms that can be used to describe the number five. Some of these terms include quintet, quintuple, pentad, and quinary. All of these terms are more commonly used than "little phoebe," but they all essentially mean the same thing. Whether you're talking about a group of five people or a five-course meal, there are plenty of ways to express the concept of five.