![]() (photo courtesy of worradmu via Freedigitalphotos. So, the next time you encounter a group of animals, impress others with these bizarre collective nouns and showcase your knowledge of the animal kingdom. And I wonder if a memory of elephants led to the phrase “an elephant never forgets”? These uncommon collective nouns for animals not only add a unique touch to your vocabulary but also provide insights into the characteristics and behaviors of the animals themselves. Which are your favourite collective nouns for animals? I particularly like pandemonium of parrots and smack of jellyfish as they seem rather apt. ADDucation’s list of collective nouns for people was compiled by Joe Connor and last updated on 10:42 am ADDucation Tips: Click column headings with arrows to sort collective nouns for people. You might wish to familiarise yourself with this alphabetical selection of collective nouns for animals, birds and insects after all, you never know when they might come in handy! Some are fairly logical, others less so… The following are a comprehensive live list of animal collective nouns, for your reference and ease of perusal. Yet there are many other collective nouns for animals known as terms of venery that are less well known but equally worthy. Many of these nouns are still in circulation today, but some never really caught on, such as a fall of woodcocks and a shrewdness of apes. Most people will be familiar with the terms gaggle of geese, litter of puppies, pride of lions and school of dolphins. The first ‘collection’ of collective nouns in English is “The Book of St Albans “, printed in 1486 in three parts covering hawking, hunting and heraldry. For example, a parliament of rooks, a murmuration of starlings and an unkindness of ravens can each be traced back as far as the 15th century. ![]() ![]() The book is so interesting that it even has collective nouns not only for animals but also for humans. The first register of collective nouns for animals goes back to the 15th century in the Book of Saint Albans. Many have been with us for centuries, while new variations or completely new ones are emerging all the time.Īccording to the Oxford Dictionary blog, the first collective nouns were typically for groups of animals and birds. While some names for groups of animals are pretty common, like a flock of birds, others are quite unusual and even hilarious. Origins of collective nounsĪs with most words in the English language, collective nouns have evolved over time. Yet there are many other collective nouns for animals – known as “terms of venery” – that are less well known but equally worthy. Most people will be familiar with the terms gaggle of geese, litter of puppies, pride of lions and school of dolphins. It represents a group of things, e.g., cards.
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