0
Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Collective Nouns -- Who invents them?
As a child I was under the impression that there were in fact very few collective nouns and that there was a strict rule about their use. Grazing animals "herds" (but flock for sheep) birds always flocks, scavenging dog-like animals packs, lions were weird "prides" you were a smarty if you knew that one.
In recent years I keep hearing these odd collective nouns and wonder if it's just some internet-based joke. a murder of crows, a shrewdness of apes, a business of ferrets.
Is this a joke, or are they authentic?
Fran
In recent years I keep hearing these odd collective nouns and wonder if it's just some internet-based joke. a murder of crows, a shrewdness of apes, a business of ferrets.
Is this a joke, or are they authentic?
Fran
Top answer
[nq:1]As a child I was under the impression that there were in fact very few collective nouns and that there ... a murder of crows, a shrewdness of apes, a business of ferrets. [/nq] It's a joke, but a very old one, going back to about 1450 at least.
- [nq:1]As a child I was under the impression that there were in fact very few collective nouns and that there ...
- a murder of crows, a shrewdness of apes, a business of ferrets.
- [/nq] It's a joke, but a very old one, going back to about 1450 at least.
- The classic reference is James Lipton, An Exaltation of Larks .
- David
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
30 Answers
0
[nq:1]As a child I was under the impression that there were in fact very few collective nouns and that there ... a murder of crows, a shrewdness of apes, a business of ferrets. Is this a joke, or are they authentic?[/nq]
It's a joke, but a very old one, going back to about 1450 at least. The classic reference is James Lipton, An Exaltation of Larks .
David
It's a joke, but a very old one, going back to about 1450 at least. The classic reference is James Lipton, An Exaltation of Larks .
David
00
[nq:1]As a child I was under the impression that there were in fact very few collective nouns and that there ... you were a smarty if you knew that one. . . . Is this a joke, or are they authentic?[/nq]
It is not a joke, internet-based or otherwise:
many of these collective nouns are authentic.
Our problem today is that the best book on
the theme (An Exaltation of Larks, by James
It is not a joke, internet-based or otherwise:
many of these collective nouns are authentic.
Our problem today is that the best book on
the theme (An Exaltation of Larks, by James
00
[nq:2]As a child I was under the impression that there ... . . Is this a joke, or are they authentic?[/nq]
[nq:1]It is not a joke, internet-based or otherwise: many of these collective nouns are authentic. Our problem today is that the best book on the theme (An Exaltation of Larks, by James Lipton, 1968) also includes many new inventions, joke collectives etc.[/nq]
There is a fairly recen
[nq:1]It is not a joke, internet-based or otherwise: many of these collective nouns are authentic. Our problem today is that the best book on the theme (An Exaltation of Larks, by James Lipton, 1968) also includes many new inventions, joke collectives etc.[/nq]
There is a fairly recen
00
[nq:1]As a child I was under the impression that there were in fact very few collective nouns and that there ... flocks, scavenging dog-like animals packs, lions were weird "prides" you were a smarty if you knew that one.[/nq]
Animals are the most complex part of the English language. Groups of animals a pack, pride, flock, float, fight, gaggle, etc. And the young kit, pup, kitten, lamb, calf,
Animals are the most complex part of the English language. Groups of animals a pack, pride, flock, float, fight, gaggle, etc. And the young kit, pup, kitten, lamb, calf,
00
[nq:2]As a child I was under the impression that there ... you were a smarty if you knew that one.[/nq]
[nq:1]Animals are the most complex part of the English language. Groups of animals a pack, pride, flock, float, fight, ... are generally more than one which will apply. I suggest that you stick to a single adult ferret. ;-) GFH[/nq]
Well, I'd like someone to explain the thinking surround
[nq:1]Animals are the most complex part of the English language. Groups of animals a pack, pride, flock, float, fight, ... are generally more than one which will apply. I suggest that you stick to a single adult ferret. ;-) GFH[/nq]
Well, I'd like someone to explain the thinking surround
00
[nq:1]Well, I'd like someone to explain the thinking surrounding the naming of male and female ferrets, and their young. Seriously odd.[/nq]
Well, you might have told us what those names are, because I haven't a clue. I've a feeling the young might be called kittens, but I wouldn't bet that I'm right.
Mark Barratt
Angoltan=E1r budapesten
Well, you might have told us what those names are, because I haven't a clue. I've a feeling the young might be called kittens, but I wouldn't bet that I'm right.
Mark Barratt
Angoltan=E1r budapesten
00
[nq:2]Well, I'd like someone to explain the thinking surrounding the naming of male and female ferrets, and their young. Seriously odd.[/nq]
[nq:1]Well, you might have told us what those names are, because I haven't a clue. I've a feeling the young might be called kittens, but I wouldn't bet that I'm right.[/nq]
Hobs, jills and kits. In that order.
David
==
replace usenet
[nq:1]Well, you might have told us what those names are, because I haven't a clue. I've a feeling the young might be called kittens, but I wouldn't bet that I'm right.[/nq]
Hobs, jills and kits. In that order.
David
==
replace usenet
00
[nq:2]Well, I'd like someone to explain the thinking surrounding the naming of male and female ferrets, and their young. Seriously odd.[/nq]
[nq:1]Well, you might have told us what those names are, because I haven't a clue. I've a feeling the young might be called kittens, but I wouldn't bet that I'm right. Mark Barratt Angoltan=E1r budapesten
[nq:1]Well, you might have told us what those names are, because I haven't a clue. I've a feeling the young might be called kittens, but I wouldn't bet that I'm right. Mark Barratt Angoltan=E1r budapesten
00
[nq:1]As a child I was under the impression that there were in fact very few collective nouns and that there ... a murder of crows, a shrewdness of apes, a business of ferrets. Is this a joke, or are they authentic?[/nq]
For certain values of "joke" and for certain values of "authentic", yes. Many of the terms are traced back no earlier than John Lydgate's "Debate between the Horse, Goose and
For certain values of "joke" and for certain values of "authentic", yes. Many of the terms are traced back no earlier than John Lydgate's "Debate between the Horse, Goose and
00
[nq:2]As a child I was under the impression that there ... you were a smarty if you knew that one.[/nq]
[nq:1]Animals are the most complex part of the English language. Groups of animals a pack, pride, flock, float, fight, ... we are usually able to eliminate many of the words, but there are generally more than one which will apply.[/nq]
That's where languages like Finnish score -
cat
[nq:1]Animals are the most complex part of the English language. Groups of animals a pack, pride, flock, float, fight, ... we are usually able to eliminate many of the words, but there are generally more than one which will apply.[/nq]
That's where languages like Finnish score -
cat
0
Related Questions