Quintessentially British is a piece which was submitted to us by Catrina Rowlands for publication in the April edition of Consett Magazine. If you have a story to share, please get in touch.
Recently, I discovered that a group of crows is called a murder. Later I was to find out that a collection of ferrets is a business! How poetic, how deliciously unlicensed! Keeping the tapestry of English alive along with nursery rhymes and folklore.
Steeped in the poetry of superstitions and levity. Perhaps helping to make the backbone of English. It is also an interesting exploration of our relationships to these animals. It captured my imagination and I began to look deeper.
Most of us have heard of a herd of sheep or a flock of doves but who has ever heard of a flock of lice! Below are some of the quirkiest examples I have found.
Apes: A Shrewdness, Troop
Sea Birds: Wreck
Wild Cats: Destruction
Clams: Bed
Frogs: Army
Salamanders: Congress
Wombats: Wisdom
Zebras: Zeal
You can find out more at thealmightyguru.com/pointless/animalgroups.html
Chris,
Your piece on animal collectives is very entertaining, and I enjoy reading similar stuff about the language…..I have left a comment on Facebook too. Well done .
Best wishes, Syd Peck