Definitions Deconstructed

Heard Mentality

S. G. Lacey

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 Definition:

Terms of venery = Also known as “nouns of assembly”, these collective nouns specifically identify certain groupings of animals.  Such phrases are treated as singular, even though they reference an entire assemblage.  [REF]

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Deconstruction:

Venery, with the root of Medieval Latin origin, has a dual meaning historically, referring to both the sport of hunting, and the pursuit of sexual pleasure.  The enjoyment of both such activities by gentlemen in 15th century Europe led to this word becoming a popularized double entendre.  

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Most of the more obscure “terms of venery” stem from “The Book of Saint Albans”, a guide to angling, hawking, and hunting, which was published in 1486.  Ironically, this manly manuscript is purported to have been written by a woman, Juliana Berners, a renowned naturalist and wildlife expert of the day.  

 

This tome includes over 160 different unique names for animal gatherings, many of which were completely invented by the author.  Though these terms were not intended to be used widely, simply meant for coded banter amongst informed outdoorsmen of the day, many such phrases have impressively found their way into modern vernacular over the years.  

 

The wording selected by Berners is decidedly dated, often evoking alliteration, rhyming, and onomatopoeia, along with visual or functional descriptors of the animals, to select her lexicon pairs.  The origin of some verbiage is fairly obvious, while other descriptors are very obscure.

 

Terms of venery apply not just to unique types of fauna, but also to broader collections of creatures, including humans.  If fact, the traditional animal kingdom classification system can be linked to discrete nouns of assembly.

Orders:
-    Brood/litter of baby animals of all types and sizes.
-    Colony of amphibians.
-    Flock of birds.
-    Herd of mammals (herbivories) & pack of mammals (carnivores).
-    School of fish.
-    Swarm of insects.

 

Onomatopoeia: 
The silent night is pierced by a series of echoing barks.  Different than traditional canines, this unique creature’s call is high pitched and reverberating, each provocation matched by siblings hidden in the darkness.  It’s like attending some convoluted comedy show in a dimly lit theatre environment.  However, in this case, the laughter is based on exuberance upon finding an evening meal, rather than simply enjoying a few jokes. 
-    Cackle of hyenas.

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Encountering one of these colorful caged carolers in the local pet shop is engaging enough.  Having to interact with an entire flock sporting bold rainbow plumage in the wild is completely overstimulating.  Incredibly smart and observant, one must be careful what they say in close proximity, as this winged troop will quickly learn and repeat any utterance, with annoying accuracy.   Feeding off each other, this bevy of bold birds becomes boisterous quickly.
-    Pandemonium of parrots.

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The shrubland savannah environ is typically teaming with wildlife.  But this massive creature dominates all others, in both size and sound.  Moving on thick legs, this stout grouping of animals creates their own path through the rugged landscape.  Using boney shoulders, tough skin, and a curved horn on the nose, no dry foliage or dusty ground is safe from destruction as the aggressive cohort heads directly to the nearest watering hole. 
-    Crash of rhinoceroses.

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There are few sentinels in the natural world who have a shriller call.  Ever observant, and outgoing, this blue or red bird rambunctiously informs everyone withing earshot of any new observance.  When grouped together, each occupying a different elevated tree perch, no passerby can avoid their verbal reprimanding.   These are some fowl parents.
-    Scold of jays.

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While often hunted throughout history, in their heyday, it was these stout and squatty animals who dictated the proceedings.  With beagles, horses, and humans often chasing them, led by barking and bugles, the dense pack of coarse hair and pink snouts created their own unique sound.  Snorting as they foraged on the muddy ground, and grunting as they pushed through the dense undergrown, these fierce hogs represented a tasty prize, if they could be felled.  
-    Sounder of boar.

 

Ordinary:
-    Barrel of monkeys.
-    Flock of seagulls.
-    Pod of dolphins/whales.
-    Pride of lions.
-    Run of salmon.

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Overt:
-    Dazzle/zeal of zebras.
-    Flamboyance of flamingos.
-    Kaleidoscope of butterflies.
-    Shadow of jaguars.
-    Tuxedo of penguins.

 

Obvious:
-    Bed of oysters/eels/sloths.
-    Caravan of camels.
-    Prickle of porcupines.
-    Stench of skunks.
-    Tower of giraffes.

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Onslaught:
-    Ambush of sharks/tigers.
-    Hive of bees.
-    Intrusion of cockroaches.
-    Mischief of mice.
-    Plague of locust.

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Operational:
-    Labor of moles.
-    Quiver of cobras.
-    Walk of snails.
-    Wake of buzzards/vultures.
-    Yoke of oxen.

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On Water:
-    Float of crocodiles.  (Just “s” added, “e” already at end)
-    Bloat of hippopotami.  (Multiple plural spellings, including “uses”)
-    Bloom of jellyfish.  (Unchanged plural, like most fish)      
-    Hover of trout.  (Singular and plural are the same)
-    Raft of otters.  (Traditional “s” added)

 

Outlaws:
-    Conspiracy of lemurs.
-    Destruction of cats.
-    Maelstrom of salamanders.
-    Mob of kangaroos.
-    Murder of crows.

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Organizational:
-    Business of ferrets.
-    Coalition of cheetahs.
-    Harem of seals.
-    Parliament of owls.
-    Venue of vultures.

 

Odd:
-    Blessing of narwhals.
-    Embarrassment of pandas.
-    Memory of elephants.
-    Richness of martens.
-    Wisdom of wombats.

 

One Letter: 
-    Gaggle of geese.
-    Leap of leopards.
-    Lounge of lizards.
-    Scurry of squirrels.
-    Shiver of sharks.

 

Obsolete:
-    Convocation of eagles = Large and formal ceremonial assemblage of regal birds. 
-    Obstinacy of buffalo = A state of severe stubbornness by huge herders.
-    Rhumba of rattlesnakes = Lively dancing motion of snakes to their own generated beat.
-    Shrewdness of apes = Mischievous jungle activity from human’s closest relatives.
-    Unkindness of ravens = Harsh and inconsiderate dives by jet black carrion scavengers.

 

Whoever wrote The Book of Saint Albans definitely gets credit for imagination.  It’s rumored that Mrs. Berners was prolific at poetry, which explains some of these imaginative literary creations.  Plus, woodsmen of lore weren’t shy about flamboyant exaggeration, in both their conversation and their catches.    

 

Over the past half millennium, we’ve learned a lot more about Planet Earth, and the creatures which inhabit it.  Yet, aside from nerdy scientists who still utilize the complex Latin taxonomy for each unique genus and species, many of these ancient nouns of classification remain relevant.

 

While slightly odd in modern parlance, at a religious boarding school in 15th century London, it’s feasible to envision a hastiness of cooks, preparing a warren of rabbits, for a blush of boys, providing a lunchtime respite from the superfluity of nuns, who perpetually chide these young lads.  

 

Maybe the next evolution of English lexicon is to incorporate some terms of venery into text format.  The letters will clearly need to be simplified and abbreviated to gain widespread adoption amongst the annoyance of cellphones in modern society.    

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Details:​​

• List of animal group names organized by classification.  [REF]

• Breakdown of creature categories with nice pictures and clever descriptions.  [REF]

• Venery word origin with background descriptors for various unique animal collectives.  [REF]

• Comprehensive nouns of assembly list in alphabetical order.  [REF]

• Commentary on perplexing plural spelling regarding animals.  [REF]