Very interesting, well written and nicely cited. I especially like the "disworship of Scots" from the Book of Hawking, Hunting and Heraldry. As a teacher I would also have to add a "posse of students".
I used to work at a hunting magazine (not by choice, I got transferred from cooking) and the groupspeak was truly unhinged. What fascinated me the most about the whole thing was that the majority of subscribers hunted once every two years or less, yet spent over $2000pa on hunting supplies. It truly was part of their identity and not about the actual hunting at all.
This is so interesting! These collective noun forms always reminded me of the measure words in Chinese — although they work a bit differently: you can never refer to just a pen or a pair of pants; every noun has to be preceded by a “measure word” that usually captures something about its nature, and so seemingly unlike things get grouped together — eg a river and pants have the same measure word because they’re both long and wiggly! I’ve always wondered if Borges’ famous passage (cited in Foucault) about the taxonomy of animals in a (supposedly fictional) old Chinese encyclopedia was inspired by these measure words.
"Note the final sentence: these terms indicated one’s standing in the world, letting people know whether they were speaking to a gentleman, yeoman, or villein, ie someone of the upper, middle, or lower class, respectively. This specialist language and the overarching hunting culture were seen as necessary to indicate inherent differences between the social classes."
This is what I absolutely love about languages and the development of languages -- how culture influences language and vice versa. It is similar to the early interactions between Native Americans and French fur traders. A language barrier occurred because there were no words in Anishinaabe for "thank you" and "your welcome." Reciprocity was inherent in the culture so the words were useless. The French, on the other hand, took this an an affront.
It’s always fascinating to see just how deeply classism and hierarchy is entrenched into society, including language. Even these fun nonsense terms were once used to judge landholdings of hunters.
This is awesome. I've always "collected" collectives. My wife bought me the wonderful book "An Exaltation of Larks" which lists an incredible number of these collectives.
I downloaded the PDF and it is so great. A “city” of badgers!
It did not include my favorite, though, an “ostentation” of peacocks.
I’ve never heard that one— that’s awesome!
Super interesting read! English really is such a cool language :)
Thank you! Yup, it has a pretty interesting history :)
Very interesting, well written and nicely cited. I especially like the "disworship of Scots" from the Book of Hawking, Hunting and Heraldry. As a teacher I would also have to add a "posse of students".
thank you dad!! :) Glad you liked it, and maybe a "tutelage of teachers" ?
I like that.
These articles are all so interesting! Do you mind if I print some of your articles out for a school history department? (Of course with credit)
of course, go ahead!
I used to work at a hunting magazine (not by choice, I got transferred from cooking) and the groupspeak was truly unhinged. What fascinated me the most about the whole thing was that the majority of subscribers hunted once every two years or less, yet spent over $2000pa on hunting supplies. It truly was part of their identity and not about the actual hunting at all.
“An impatience of wives” is being downloaded into my vocabulary as we speak.
Excellent article you guys!
This is so interesting! These collective noun forms always reminded me of the measure words in Chinese — although they work a bit differently: you can never refer to just a pen or a pair of pants; every noun has to be preceded by a “measure word” that usually captures something about its nature, and so seemingly unlike things get grouped together — eg a river and pants have the same measure word because they’re both long and wiggly! I’ve always wondered if Borges’ famous passage (cited in Foucault) about the taxonomy of animals in a (supposedly fictional) old Chinese encyclopedia was inspired by these measure words.
Absolutely fabulous! I’m so pleased to have come across your work.
"Note the final sentence: these terms indicated one’s standing in the world, letting people know whether they were speaking to a gentleman, yeoman, or villein, ie someone of the upper, middle, or lower class, respectively. This specialist language and the overarching hunting culture were seen as necessary to indicate inherent differences between the social classes."
This is what I absolutely love about languages and the development of languages -- how culture influences language and vice versa. It is similar to the early interactions between Native Americans and French fur traders. A language barrier occurred because there were no words in Anishinaabe for "thank you" and "your welcome." Reciprocity was inherent in the culture so the words were useless. The French, on the other hand, took this an an affront.
Thanks ahead of time. Really looking forward to seeing these flood Substack now. 😏
It’s always fascinating to see just how deeply classism and hierarchy is entrenched into society, including language. Even these fun nonsense terms were once used to judge landholdings of hunters.
downloaded. Now I have go thru. how long is this thing? fyck. determined to smell the posies -- metagrabolize! ---- danka again.
This is awesome. I've always "collected" collectives. My wife bought me the wonderful book "An Exaltation of Larks" which lists an incredible number of these collectives.
There's also *An Exaltation of Larks* by James Lipton
This was my favorite thing I’ve read in a long time!! Thank you for writing it
gonna steal from this, THANKS