The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts What is the collective noun for a group of ...
Why is Christian Science in our name? Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and we’ve always been transparent about that. The church publishes the ...
Variously idiosyncratic, intriguing and often unerringly apt in their descriptions of gatherings of birds, animals and people a damning of jurors, an incredulity of cuckolds — most of the collective ...
Most collective nouns, or "terms of venery," were coined during the 15th century. Many were codified in books of courtesy, like the 1486 classic Book of St. Albans. St. Albans was a handbook for ...
Collective nouns are an essential part of language. While we may not use them as often in our daily conversations, we did memorise some of them in school. From a pack of cards to a litter of puppies, ...
Zebras gather in a dazzle, hyenas a cackle and rhinos a crash – or occasionally a stubbornness, depending on their mood. Some creatures brag several collective nouns. Geese, say, fly in a skein, but ...
Do you know the ridiculous term for a group of jellyfish? Find out here. We all have our favourites. A flush of fungi. A bask of crocodiles. A charm of finches. And a superfluity of nuns – well, maybe ...
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or ...