The Name Game January - February 1997 by Janice Welsh
Most people know that fish hang out in schools and sheep gather in
flocks. But have you ever heard of a pride of lions? How about a
kettle of hawks or a charm of finches? The English language has more than
1,000 names for groups of things.
The names for groups of fish and wildlife date back to the Middle
Ages,when knights and lords on horseback chased all kinds of animals.
Many of the words used to describe groups of animals were hunting terms.
Hunters might pursue a dray of squirrels, a fall of woodcock, or
a spring of teal. Herd is one term people still use to describe a group
deer, cattle, or elephants.
Where Do Names Come From?
Many names for clusters of critters are listed below. As you look at the
names, think about what might have led someone to choose a
particular one. The choice might have been inspired by:
An animal's action - a leap of leopards
A sound the animal makes - a murmuration of starlings
A repetition of word sounds - a gaggle of geese
What people think about the animals - a richness of martens
The animal's home - a nest of rabbits
What the gathering looks like - a knot of toads
Some names are mistakes. A school of fish, for example, was first called
a shoal of fish. Fish gather in a shoal, a shallow place in a
river or lake. A long time ago someone translated shoal of fish as school
of fish and passed it along.
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