Question of The Day. Saturday 11th of June.

Hi, it's Saturday again!

I was talking to a friend about the different words we use to describe groups of animals today. I guess everyone knows a pack of dogs or a flock of sheep, but what about some of the more unusual ones?

We found this list of collective terms for birds, fish, insects and animals.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_terms_of_venery,_by_animal

Some of our favourite ones were a Cackle of Hyenas, a Flutter of Butterflies and a Flamboyance of Flamingo. What about the collective terms for cats? I've heard of a Clowder of Cats before and I quite like a Pounce of Cats. I'm not too happy with the term A Destruction of Feral Cats though. I'm sure we can come up with something better than that.

What do you think a group of feral cats should be called?

What is your favourite collective term for any animal, bird, fish or insect?

Have  you heard of any not listed here?

I think my favourite term is A Murder of Crows. You just know when you see a big group of crows together something has either been murdered or is about to be.

I think a Flourish of Ferals is a good way to describe a group of feral cats.

Do you have any ideas?

I hadn't really thought about it.  I hadn't heard of a clowder of cats.  Here anyway the only term I have heard is a Colony.  The main TNR group here is called Colony Cats.  They also have an adoption center for the strays and kittens that also get trapped.

I'm actually in a FB group called The Cat Clowder :lol3: so that was the first thing that came to mind. I had no idea what it was either till I joined it!

When I had my feral cats 20 years ago they were called a colony of feral cats. I did not know that that had changed.

i can't think of any that aren't listed in that wiki link. and i agree that a Flourish of Ferals is so much better than a destruction.

ahhh, crows. you reminded me of years ago, when i would walk to downtown rochester in the very early morning hours (around 4:30am - 5:30am). there was a small park in the city that i'd pass, and the few large trees there were always filled with crows. even when they weren't talking, it was just really creepy. i always thought of the Hitchcock movie The Birds when i walked past them. and so, i'm not surprised that a group of crows is called A Murder of Crows.

I hate "clowder" of cats. It sounds so abstruse. My favorite of all time is a gaggle of geese. It fits them completely.

I'm not a fan of the word clowder either. It makes them sound like the main ingredient in a big bowl of soup.

I'd call them a FAMILY of ferals. Aren't they? There are some who are fortunate to have human caregivers but if they didn't, and for the ones who don't, isn't it true that all they have or would have is each other?

I like a gaggle of geese. It makes them sound happy, like they are all giggling over a joke that no one else knows the punchline to.

A bloat of hippopotamuses is very descriptive, too.

I have heard the term 'congregation' for a group of alligators.  Not sure what the meaning is there, maybe it's someone needs prayer if they find themselves in the middle of one.

Snail groups are called escargatoire.


For some reason that sounds really posh to me:


Snail 1: I say, shall we scamper back to the escargatoire to have ourselves a glass of brandy and a cigar?
Snail 2: My word, that sounds positively delightful! I accept!
Both: Ahaw haw haw haw haw! ~

 

Wombats are called a wisdom. How did that happen?   I mean they are very far from stupid, it's just takes you off guard for a sec since it isn't the term you would expect (At least to me). It's like Turkeys, they are called a gang or a posse. 

It's hard to pick a favourite! A prickle of porcupines, a parliament of rooks,  and then a harem of seals! 



As for feral kitties, mmmm....A Fancy of Ferals? Community of Cats? Collage of Cats? Kingdom of Cats? (I mean why not, we already have lady cats being called Queens) A Collaboration of Insanely Cute Mini Wild Felines That Are Still Totally Awesome?


 

I'm gonna get slapped for this one, but having watched ferals that aren't being cared for, I'm thinking possibly, a Furtive of Ferals.  They slippy-slide through the shadows as if they are made of the shadows themselves.

Cassiopea said:

 
As for feral kitties, mmmm....A Fancy of Ferals? Community of Cats? Collage of Cats? Kingdom of Cats? (I mean why not, we already have lady cats being called Queens) A Collaboration of Insanely Cute Mini Wild Felines That Are Still Totally Awesome?


 

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I like A Kingdom of Cats! But maybe we should say a Queendom? It's definitely the girls who are in charge around here.

Norachan said:

 
I like A Kingdom of Cats! But maybe we should say a Queendom? It's definitely the girls who are in charge around here.

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Oh you clever person! I love it 

A comfort of cats, perhaps.

Mamanyt1953 said:

 
A comfort of cats, perhaps.

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Yes, that's a nice one.

A comfort, a cosy or a cuddle of cats all sound good to me.

Have I lost my mind (well...yeah, but...) or did I read at some point that a litter of kittens is a kindle?  And why would someone name an eBook reader after a litter of kittens?