"Names for groups of animals, birds, people, sea creatures are more imaginative. We are familiar with some, but others are startling in their poetry. Lions, we know, come in a pride when congregated. The onslaught of our coastal jellyfish at the beach is known as a smack of jellyfish."
By Nan Graham
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-859621.mp3
Wilmington, NC – Where does all this wonderful language come from? Was a language committee appointed to decide on what each group of creatures should be called? Collective noun lover, I think not. I see it as a gift from Garrison Keillor's Society of English Majors! E-mail your favorite collective noun to ngraham@ec.rr.com
Nan Graham's WHQR commentaries can be found in her books, "Turn South at the Next Magnolia," and "In a Magnolia Minute." Her website is nangraham.com
