James Lipton, poet and former director of The Actor's Studio wrote an obscure book back in the 60's titled "An Exaltation of Larks". Interesting title. It is a compendium of collective nouns to classify groups of somethings using creative, clever associations. The practice stems from a 1476 book "The Hors, Shepe & Ghoos" (i.e. The Horse, Sheep & Goose) listing a 100 or so such terms, mostly pertaining to animals. It was followed in the 1500's by "The Book of St. Albans" which expanded the list. These classifications became widespread and knowledge thereof was taken as a demonstration of a superior mind. Many of these have persisted over the last 600 years.
Though perhaps a frivolous endeavor, I find this word play fascinating and poetic and these days I have plenty of time and desire for frivolous. It inspires me - and perhaps you as well - to expand the list.
First to give you the idea, some examples. You are likely familiar with some or all of these.
- A Gaggle of Geese
- A Plague of Locusts
- A Brood of Hens
- A Litter of Pups
- A Swarm of Bees
- A Host of Angels
- A Cluster of Grapes
- A Bevy of Beauties ...
Some others you may know but are more rare.
- An Exaltation of Larks.
- Larks are morning birds and rise to great heights while constantly twittering their joyous exaltation .
- A Murder of Crows
- A folktale has it that crows will gather and decide the capital fate of another crow. Another explanation is that many view the appearance of crows as an omen of death.
- A Pride of Lions
- Considered a regal species thus prideful
- A Parliament of Owls
- For their association with wisdom, although the wisdom - parliament connection seems to be broken.
- A School of Fish
- A corruption of Shoal of Fish
- An Ostentation of Peacocks
- Perfect.
- A Clutch of Eggs
- As many as you can carry in your apron, presumably.
- An Army of Caterpillars
- (see plague of locusts)
Leaving animals behind and addressing people and professions. (These need no explanation.)
- A Converting of Preachers
- A Sentence of Judges
- A Draught of Brewers
- A Drift of Fishermen (from drift netting)
- A Blast of Hunters
- A Rascal of Boys
- A Skulk of Thieves
And some fun modern additions to the collection
- A Rhapsody of Blues
- An Unemployment of Graduates
- An Exaggeration of Fishermen
- A Wobble of Bicycles
- A Rash of Dermatologists
- A Pile of Proctologists
- A Flush of Plumbers
- An Odium of Politicians
- A Pound of Pianists
- A Lie of Golfers
- A Mass of Priests
- A Nucleus of Physicists
- An Extreme Unction of Undertakers
- A Consternation of Mothers
- A Twaddle of Public Speakers
- A Fifth of Scots
- A Pint of Irish
- A Descent of Relatives
- A Lot of Used Car Dealers
And finally, my additions to the canon
- A Blizzard of DQs
- A Mishmash of Blogs
- An Annoyance of Tweets
- A Splash of Water Balloons
- A Peleton of Cyclists
- A Circling of Buzzards
- A Breakfast of Champions
- A X of Teslas
- An Aroma of Old Men
- A Whistle of Cardinals
- A Hovering of Dentists
- A Whirlwind of Dust Bunnies
- A Trial of Elections
Next, your contributions - see comments.
Copyright © 2023 Dave Hoplin
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