20 Nouns of Association You Didn’t Know
Published on February 13, 2008 - 175 Comments
Nouns of Association (also sometimes called nouns of assemblage or venereal terms) are words that describe groups of similar objects. We use them all the time and you will recognize the vast majority of them, but there are also a large number that are not well known. An example you might know is “A litter of kittens” - litter is the noun of association. So, here are 20 that you probably didn’t know, to help spice up your sentences.
Nouns of Association 1-5
1. A clowder of cats
2. A parenthesis of cellists
3. A coalition of cheetahs
4. A shock of corn (with stalks included)
5. A brace of dogs (2 dogs)
Nouns of Association 6-10
6. A leap of leopards
7. A coterie of Orchids
8. A dray of squirrels
9. A midden of shells
10. A murder of crows
Nouns of Association 11-15
11. A thought of barons
12. A knot of toads
13. A parliament of owls
14. A covey of quail
15. A passel of piglets
Nouns of Association 16-20
16. A rascal of boys
17. A rafter of turkeys
18. A skein of geese (in flight)
19. A shrewdness of apes
20. A cete of badgers
Bonus: Fun Nouns of Association (unverified)
21. A flush of plumbers
22. A Rand of Objectivists
23. A yap of chihuahuas
24. An ogle of office boys
25. A descent of relatives
Sources used for verification: Milwaukee Zoo, Oxford English Dictionary, Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Related ListsTop 10 Tips to Improve your MemoryTop 10 Animals You didn’t know were Venomous Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know the Ancients Had Top 10 Propaganda Videos |
SubscriptionsLike this article? Subscribe to the RSS feed to keep 'em coming, or subscribe via email: |
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.
Email This Post
1. AnotherEngine - February 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Alright, “A Rand of Objectivists” was pretty funny…
2. magnolia_snooze - February 13th, 2008 at 11:25 am
fudge!!! you beat me to being number 1…
3. Manchild - February 13th, 2008 at 11:25 am
first?!?!
4. magnolia_snooze - February 13th, 2008 at 11:26 am
btw: a ‘murder’ of crows???
dude, the cliche group called they want their lingo back!!!
……that was kinda sad……
5. Manchild - February 13th, 2008 at 11:27 am
well i tried, anyways, i always liked how a “parliament” of owls sounded, it makes them seem noble
6. Mystern - February 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Ha. I like the Rand of Objectivists best.
7. Mystern - February 13th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Magnolia_snooze: That is the actual term for a group of crows.
8. Miss Destiny - February 13th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I’ve heard of a “murder” of crows. That’s the only one I knew, so I learned stuff today! Hooray!
9. akKris - February 13th, 2008 at 11:42 am
A kiss of vampires…
10. akKris - February 13th, 2008 at 11:45 am
A conspiracy of ravens…
I live in the far north and that’s what we see all winter.
11. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I want coterie of orchids. they’re my fave.
Hasn’t anybody heard of Incubus’ album “A Crow left of the Murder”
12. SlickWilly - February 13th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Huh…..what an….odd list. I’ve never heard any of these before, save a “murder of crows.” Some of these are completely off the wall….maybe that’s why they arn’t very popular anymore.
13. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 11:59 am
parliament of owls. . . how funky. I can picture a group of owls smoking cigs dressed in pimp suits
14. SlickWilly - February 13th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
toolnut: That’s funny….I had pictured a group of owls with powdered wigs and lacy cravats.
15. islanderbst - February 13th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
shouldnt #3 be “a coalition of the willing”
dont we need one for listversers?
a register of… or an index of… maybe?
16. Joss - February 13th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I like “a thought of barons”
17. satori - February 13th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
SlickWilly: That’s exactly as I imagined the Owls! Almost like “Puss in Boots”-like some sort of English Gentlemen. and DEFINITELY with monacles.
18. dofnup - February 13th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Must agree that “a parliament of owls” is the best one here. It just stirs up images of britishness … jolly good, ol’ chap!
19. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Am I the only one that associates Parliament with 70’s funk?
20. SocialButterfly - February 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I had heard a murder of crows before… Must agree though, a Rand of Objectivists is awesome.. especially considering Jamie’s thoughts on Ayn Rand.
21. SlickWilly - February 13th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
satori: Haha! Nothing says rich British pompocity than a monacle.
Speaking of monacles, I’ve been waiting for them to make a comeback. It’ll happen! As a matter of fact I have a monacle I’ve just been waiting for the right moment to bust out. I don’t even need corrective lenses…mine just has a piece of glass in it.
22. SlickWilly - February 13th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
toolnut: No, not the only one, but perhaps the only one in this context.
(I’m a bass player and absolutely *love* Bootsy Collins.)
23. kakazed - February 13th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
what about:
a learned or listverser’s or better sounding
a au courant of listverser’s??
24. Blogball - February 13th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Fun list .You can learn these and impress your friends and seem smarter than you look.
Here is another one I have heard of: “A Bale of Turtles”
By the way after I thought of this I looked it up to make sure it was correct so I wouldn’t face the wrath.
25. jadester - February 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
i keep reading it as “A murder of cows” I knew about a murder of crows, but cows?! they arent that intimidating. lol.
26. jadester - February 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Slick willy: you have to make the fashion happen! dont wait for someone else to popularize it! Monacles are probably the only thing they havent brought back in the last 20 years, even spats have a place in fashion right now.
27. Cullinan - February 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
A “flush” of plumbers???
A “shrewdness” of apes???
I have my doubts listfriends.
28. elana - February 13th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
A LIST ABOUT NOUNS?
PLEASE YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME.. DON’T POST ANY LIST AT ALL IF IT’S GOING TO BE ABOUT NOUNS.
VERY GOOD WAY OF PUTTING ME TO SLEEP
29. Bananas - February 13th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
IDK… ive heard of most of these. Like a murder of crows. Theats why people are so scared of crows.
30. Randy - February 13th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I live in the southern U.S. and “covey of quail” is very well known here, what with all the wild game hunting that goes on.
31. rearden - February 13th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Contrary to my name, #22 is not a group that I’d wish to belong to.
(Can someone please explain the obsession with posting first on this site? Who gives a flying f#%k if you’re first. Nobody cares.)
32. copperdragon - February 13th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
makes a “school of fish” sound normal, doesn’t it?
is a “crash of rhinos” well-known?
or a “ledger of accountants”?
33. jfrater - February 13th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
elana: how about I post whatever lists I want to and you read the ones you enjoy and let others read the ones they enjoy?
34. Mystern - February 13th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Jamie, I’m surprised at the heat of your comment. I personally find it amusing, but it surprises me nonetheless.
35. Yogi Barrister - February 13th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I like a clowder of cats the best. it should also be used as the noun of association for the commenters here.
36. Cullinan - February 13th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
C’mon Elana,
They can’t ALL be winners.
Keep it up Jamie.
37. MzFly - February 13th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
A descnet of relatives? lol. That could be taken a few different ways
38. MzFly - February 13th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
oops *descent
39. DiscHuker - February 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
some less well known ones (probably because i just made them up)
a blockage of fat guys
a churchill of smart-asses
a frater of diplomats
a discussion of LV’ers
a pasty of computer nerds
anybody else have any?
40. Dan231 - February 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I’m not surprised at Jamie’s comment at all. I get tried of all the “I hate this list”, “this list sucks”, etc…
Can’t we just have 1 site that people are nice on? It’s like that Internet is run by a group of 7-13 yo immature boys.
It is well known (or should be) that Jamie accepts list submissions. So instead of whining like a baby, get off your butt and write your own list for the site. Or is it that you can give crap but can’t take it?
/gets off soapbox
41. jfrater - February 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Mystern: I appreciate your comment - my sharp reply is the culmination of complaints from at least one person on every list this week and in reference to “Your View”. I will not speak up if I get annoyed - apologies to all.
42. SocialButterfly - February 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
here here!! Your damn straight Dan231!
SlickWilly… I would love to see the monacle come back!
Jadester: A big group of cows murdering would be pretty neat to watch… as long as they weren’t attacking me. Ninja Cows!
43. Angelina - February 13th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I had heard of murder and parliament but none of the others. I used to go to a trivia night at a local bar and one of the categories was animal group names. We guessed when they asked what a group of alligators was called and we were right, a congregation of alligators!
(ok, it was multiple choice)
To all of the noun haters: Watch out or I’ll sick a battery of barracuda, an intrusion of cockroaches, and a quiver of cobras on you!!!
Good list, btw
44. SocialButterfly - February 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
You have every right to be angry Jamie, I don;t see anyone else offering to write the lists (besides the contributors naturally) IF they aren’t willing to assist you then they can deal with it.
Don’t apologize when you have every right to be angry, this is where psychopaths come from.
45. SlickWilly - February 13th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I’m wearing my monacle right now. And getting some funny looks from my roommate……huh….maybe I should sleep on this before I decide to wear the damn thing out in public.
I have also felt, as of late, that a historically underrated piece of clothing that should find its way back into popular fashion is the codpiece. I don’t know where one might find a codpiece in this day and age, but it’s worth looking in to.
46. stevenh - February 13th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
DiscHucker:
As a geek (not nerd, geek), I would offer:
A byte of computer geeks (8 or more, of course)
Regarding Elana:
A Pity of Complainers
47. Dan231 - February 13th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
$60 and it’s yours… http://cgi.ebay.com/Fetish-Lea.....dZViewItem
48. SocialButterfly - February 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Is that really was a codpiece is??
You’d look like there was an unhappy elephant in your pants.
49. SocialButterfly - February 13th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
*what a codpiece is… damn liquor slur my words every time.
50. jfrater - February 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Speaking of codpieces - there were some rather “interesting” ones featured in the Elizabethan series of Black Adder with Rowan Atkinson.
51. jfrater - February 13th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
oh - and DiscHuker: I am afraid some people wouldn’t agree with your “A Jfrater of diplomats” at the moment
52. kiwiboi - February 13th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
“codpiece”? Please don’t let this morph into a discussion on sharks
53. dan231 - February 13th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Top Secret - best use of codpiece in a movie yet!
54. gabrielAmerican - February 13th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
A Bush of idiots.
A bitch of ex-wives.
55. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
a slur of drunks
56. steve - February 13th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
The kids in That picture need to eat some food…wayyyy to skinny
57. SocialButterfly - February 13th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Just looked them up on wiki… codpieces are pretty effed up!!
58. Andrea Carlena Beauman - February 13th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Here’s one that just sounds fun to work into a sentence: A bevy of succotash.
-Andrea Carlena Beauman
59. DiscHuker - February 13th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
gabe, steven and tool: good ones
a bowl of potheads
a ward of psych patients
a yikes of most evil women
60. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
an accumulation of couch potatoes
a collection of panda porn
a glare of nudists
61. DiscHuker - February 13th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
lol, couch potatoes
a spasm of ADD kids
a thump of bible believers
a doubt of atheists
62. Angelina - February 13th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
A shrill of banshees
A blessing of sneezes
a gavel of judges
this is fun!!!
63. SocialButterfly - February 13th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
hahaha…panda porn. Did you guys see the new one I thought up, One Night in Panda.
I like the glare of nudists toolnut.
64. Catriona - February 13th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
‘A Rascal of Boys’…most appropriate in my household.
Cool list Jamie
65. NoPunyNerd - February 13th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
A galaxy of listversers?
jfrater: no need to apologize for making a sharp reply to a dull-witted comment. it was well deserved.
66. passerby - February 13th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I’m sorry but isn’t it spelt monocle and not monacle?
67. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
a whine of hypochondriacs
a dissent of protesters
a chaos of anarchists
68. goof_ball - February 13th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
#18-Pronounced (long vowels) sken or skin
toolnut-good ones
69. J. Coustark. - February 13th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
A crouch of jockeys.
A pile of s–t
A fringe of hairdressers
70. Maman - February 13th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
A few more for your list.
A suit of sails.
A chattering of choughs.
A doping of sheldrake.
71. Crimanon - February 13th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
A wiki of college students…
A wand of Rowling novels…
A round of Alcoholics…
A lot of car salesmen…
72. Catriona - February 13th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
One for J. Coustark and Maman:
….a couple of twits! LOL
73. Crimanon - February 13th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
has this just turned into a drinking game???
74. islanderbst - February 13th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
a slew of dragons
a gambol of naugas
75. jocsboss - February 13th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
So how are we to know when someone puts forth something that is real, like a pod of whales?
76. Digital Amish - February 13th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
“a congress of baboons”
that is, btw, a real one.
77. Cyn - February 13th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
9. akKris
A kiss of vampires…
39. DiscHuker
a frater of diplomats
46. stevenh
A Pity of Complainers
54. gabrielAmerican
A Bush of idiots.
59. DiscHuker
a bowl of potheads
a ward of psych patients
60. toolnut
an accumulation of couch potatoes
a collection of panda porn
a glare of nudists
61. DiscHuker
a thump of bible believers
a doubt of atheists
67. toolnut
a chaos of anarchists
thus far…my favs. ya’ll are good at this…keep it up. we’ll make our own listverse lexicon.
78. Martin L - February 13th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I’m so surprised that no one piped up with the one that almost ALWAYS shows up in a list of this type: “an exaltation of larks.” For real!
Oh and, awfully sorry, chaps, but the correct spelling is “monocle,” not “monacle.” Never have let you get away with that at Eaton, from whence graduated a whole squint of monocle-wearers!
79. Mike - February 13th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
What about “a covenant of aliens”? Thats pretty catchy
80. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
a frag of gamers
a beating of ninjas
a wound of zombies
81. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
wow! i feel like a total nerd!
82. Mom424 - February 13th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Wow, you guys are good! Great list!
a few more…
a sloth of teenagers
a hack of programmers
a platitude of politicians
83. JwJwBean - February 13th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Digital Amish: are you sure it wasn’t a baboon of congress? LOL
84. Crimanon - February 13th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Mike: How very Halo.
85. Crimanon - February 13th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Old school—A Cartridge of Video gamers.
86. miccas75 - February 13th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Nouns of association are some of my favorite literary colloquialisms. Murder of crows is an alltime favourite. Next, though, is a warren of rabbits.
87. Matt - February 13th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Okay a noun list is a bad idea, whatever happened to promising to make lists less often but with more quality?
please, if it sucks, just dont put it up.
88. JwJwBean - February 13th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I guess a “bad idea” and a list that “sucks” are all relative. I rather enjoyed it. I always enjoy learning new things. It is sad that you do not want to expand your mind. Or maybe you already know everything.
89. toolnut - February 13th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Matt: wtf, have you not read any of the past comments? We’ve been entertaining each other for hours making up our own versions. And thats the real attraction for me
90. Matt - February 13th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
It’s boring. What’s next? “20 things you didn’t know about crocheting”
91. DiscHuker - February 13th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
tool’s beating of ninjas is great
mom: slot of teenagers is my favorite so far, brilliant.
a wrinkle of senior citizens
a flab of americans
a pitch of hooligans
a nag of moms
92. DiscHuker - February 13th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
*sloth*
93. baalsbum - February 13th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I am suprised nobody has mentioned a Wunch of Bankers
94. Crimanon - February 13th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Damn those teenage slots!!!!!!!!
95. JwJwBean - February 13th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Those teenage slots can get into a lot of trouble.
96. Crimanon - February 13th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
A Squish of Frogs???
A Puke of Frat boys.
A Grain of Bullets, that maybe a stretch.
97. Cyn - February 13th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
ya’ll crack me up. thanx for the giggles.
98. DiscHuker - February 13th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
a boob of plastic surgeons
a wtf of scientologists
a flop of soccer players
99. 20Fan20 - February 13th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
About the Jamie comment.
I agree with Jamie. There is a list of Arms Exporting Country or soemthing I saw a long time back, didn’t complain I just skipped it.
I also know that when I post a critism in a respectful manner Jamie always responds!
Keep up the great and well written lists Jamie! I don’t have to like every one of them but can still respect those that do!
100. Reg123 - February 13th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
It should be a whorehouse of owls or a criminal ring of owls if they want to associate it with what goes on in the South African parliament. haha. About 80% of our politicians have been convicted of a crime.
101. jfrater - February 14th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Matt: Out of 100 comments, only you and one other person complained about this list being boring - everyone else seems to be enjoying it. I think that classifies it as a “good list” not a “bad list”
102. toolnut - February 14th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Happy V-day everyone!!! It’s not quite the 14th yet where I am but I know in the rest of the world it is.
I remembered Jamie!!
103. Crimanon - February 14th, 2008 at 12:26 am
toolnut: I really don’t need a VD. But thanks for the offer. ….Can you really have a Good VD?
104. toolnut - February 14th, 2008 at 12:28 am
an infection of whores
an annoyance of mosquitos
105. toolnut - February 14th, 2008 at 12:28 am
not vd. . . v-day (as in valentines day)
106. Crimanon - February 14th, 2008 at 12:49 am
depends on you choice of dates. and I was going to say a gag of prostitutes.
107. Alan Holcome - February 14th, 2008 at 1:09 am
JF The Fun Nouns of Association (unverified) were great.
Love this website.
108. WildGrits - February 14th, 2008 at 1:21 am
A real one:
A Business of Flies
109. jfrater - February 14th, 2008 at 2:19 am
toolnut: happy VD to you too
Alan Holcome: thanks
110. J. Coustark. - February 14th, 2008 at 2:40 am
A moaning of matts.
111. Drogo - February 14th, 2008 at 4:02 am
I was thinking: A Prick of Matts (or elanas)
Try not to get VD on V-day.
112. phil - February 14th, 2008 at 5:33 am
A whinge of Poms
113. DiscHuker - February 14th, 2008 at 5:58 am
happy vd to you too. i think.
a pimple of star wars fans
a giggidy of perverts
114. bucslim - February 14th, 2008 at 6:47 am
A ’six’ of dog squeeze
115. Mom424 - February 14th, 2008 at 6:51 am
There are so many brilliant ones; Matt obviously doesn’t appreciate the fine wit required to roll these off the tip of your tongue…err fingers
116. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Mom424: You dirty, dirty girl.
117. bucslim - February 14th, 2008 at 7:27 am
a ‘gross’ of pus
a ’slag’ of whores
a ‘rash’ of rashes
a ‘virgin’ of DNDer’s
an ‘obtuse’ of administrators
a ’slap’ of monkeys
a ‘dork’ of geeks
a ‘titter’ of snorts
a ’spew’ of bile
Ya want me to keep goin?
118. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 7:33 am
bucslim: A “virgin of D&Der’s”?
I think not. The majority of the D&Der’s I game with get more ass than the average person. I’d say a “virgin of LARPer’s”
119. bucslim - February 14th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Good for you Mystern! Smoke that Elfin Cleric ass!
120. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Bucslim: I assume you mean Elven?
Seriously though, there is something just wrong about LARPing . . .
121. bucslim - February 14th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Mystern, ya, sarry about the misspelt werd
Jist beang a smertahss
122. Bob - February 14th, 2008 at 8:26 am
These aren’t *actually* used. You realize that, right? People just made them up to be humorous. The only place you ever see this? No surprise–in lists like this. That’s right–these only exist to be perpetuated in lists of this sort, not to be actually used. You simply will not see these outside of a humorous context. I mean. . .you didn’t seriously think anybody ever said “Hey, look at that murder of crows over there,” did you? Sure, if they’d seen a list like this and said it to be funny, but that’s about it.
123. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Bob: I disagree. I know a number of people who have used the term “a murder of crows” on a number of occasions.
124. jfrater - February 14th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Bob: just because you are not familiar with them doesn’t mean people don’t use them - it means people you know don’t know them. I have certainly read a number of these in books. Using the Murder of Crows as an example - seeing as you mentioned it: there is a movie named after it, and a reference book about crows as well:
http://www.heinemannlibrary.co.....1403407428
How about a clowder of cats? Oxford English Dictionary says it is the most common term for a collection of cats:
http://www.askoxford.com/askth.....ts?view=uk
How about this from a California Natural Heritage website:
“After the breeding season, quail live together in groups called coveys. These groups of up to 200 birds are composed of parents and young.”
Believe me - I picked ones that were real (aside from the obvious ones at the end intended as a humour).
125. Randy - February 14th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Bob: See comment #30. “Covey of quail” is used where I live all the time.
Matt: Different people have different interests. In my opinion, Jamie and the other contributors do a great job of compiling lists from the entire spectrum of the human experience. Sure, there are lists that I don’t find particularly interesting, but it’s just due to personal preference. I either don’t read them or after reading one that “wasn’t up my alley” or “wasn’t my cup of tea”, I simply keep my opinion to myself. No one is forcing you to read these lists. This site is provided free of charge to all for our enjoyment and learning. Try to keep that in mind. Mother’s advice applies here: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
JFrater and other contributors: Great job. Keep the lists (all of them!) coming.
126. copperdragon - February 14th, 2008 at 9:06 am
a ‘klan’ of white males
a ’stadium’ of black males
a ’salon’ of white females
a ‘lilith’ of lesbians
a ‘gospel’ of black females
127. SlickWilly - February 14th, 2008 at 9:19 am
copperdragon: for someone complaining about the diversity in lists, those are awfully racially-insensitive suggestions. You do know that not all white men are in the ku klux klan, right?
128. copperdragon - February 14th, 2008 at 9:48 am
no more insensitive than ‘virgin’ of DnD’s.
not all DnD’s are virgins, and vice versa.
not all fish travel in schools.
the point of the “fun” nouns of association was taking a poke at certain groups.
would you prefer a ‘burn’ of klan-members?
or maybe a ‘whip’ of married men?
i kinda thought ‘lilith’ of lesbians had a nice ring to it…
129. copperdragon - February 14th, 2008 at 9:52 am
remember what SNL said…
“it’s not a gang, it’s a club!”
130. Another Kiwi - February 14th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Mystern et al: D&D - Dungeons and Dragons. Yes?
What the hell does a LARPer do? Can it be mentioned in polite society? And, yes, I’m old. And I don’t play games online. But I do hang out with: A fizz of drinkers.
131. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 10:54 am
LARP = Live Action Roll Playing.
Dressing up in costumes and going out in the woods pretending to be medieval fantasy warriors.
Here’s a link to a video of what it looks like:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KZ04mfAY2BU
132. Another Kiwi - February 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Mystern: Hmmmm. Thanks.
133. SocialButterfly - February 14th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I gotta agree with SlickWilly in this matter copperdragon. The impression I got from your other posts was that you were trying to show tolerance and include all persons in that category and not just “white males”.
134. SocialButterfly - February 14th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Oh, and all I have to say about that video Mystern is…. *scratches head and backs away*
135. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Like I said, “A virgin of LARPer’s”
I wouldn’t be caught dead within 10 miles of these guys.
136. SocialButterfly - February 14th, 2008 at 11:33 am
LOL! hahaha Mystern. Yeah wouldn’t want to get hit by a lightning bolt!
137. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I think they might be delusional.
Here’s a clip of how a LARPer views LARPing
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lpmvFK02jY8
138. flamama - February 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
A “chew” of rednecks
A “drawl” of southerners
A ‘yank” of northerners
A “casanova” of players
139. DiscHuker - February 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
for the celebrity buffs around
a whoa of keanu reeves
a rack of pamela andersons
a gyaiaiai of howard deans
140. SocialButterfly - February 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
DiscHuker: Technically woah came from Joey on Blossom thank you.
141. Mystern - February 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
You know, I think everyone here has missed the point of Associative Nouns entirely. They’re not puns, just interesting ways of expressing a multiple. How is a “brace of dogs” anywhere near a “lisp of gay guys”?
142. flamama - February 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
a gerbil of richard geres?
143. CK - February 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Is there a specific definition of office boys that warrant them a noun of association? Cuz then there should be a “gossip of office ladies”!! =)
144. Crimanon - February 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Mystern: I have to disagree, there had to be some poet Way back When to say something about Crows. A group of them is pretty intimidating, so is murder. “an exaltation of larks.”- Gag me with the sweetness. It’s all about perspective. Think about how it may have come to be…A Bale of Turtles; possibly form the old fishing boats. It all had to start somewhere.
145. copperdragon - February 14th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
socialbutterfly: so I can’t support diversity and poke fun at other races at the same time? Bill Hicks and Lisa Lampinelli, where are you when I need you?
146. Andrea Carlena Beauman - February 14th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
A billy of the hill.
-Andrea Carlena Beauman
147. SocialButterfly - February 14th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
copperdradon: It sort of cheapens your support of diversity when you turn around and make fun of those that you were just defending.
148. bucslim - February 14th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
flamama - that should read a ‘gere’ of gerbils
149. Crimanon - February 14th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
All right this race thing has to stop. javascript:; if that doesn’t work. go to ILLWILLPRESS.COM and hit the toons section and watch once you go black. You can be diverse just so long as you spread the hate evenly.
150. Crimanon - February 14th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Beans, didn’t work.
151. copperdragon - February 14th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
socialbutterfly: thats called racial equity and gender equity. If they (women, minorities) want equal rights and equal treatment, they have to take the good (pay,voting,etc.) with the bad (jokes,cartoons,etc.).
And I don’t think its unfair or unseemly to do both - support their equal rights and make fun at the same time. Just ask any blonde, pollack, redneck, geek, klansman, or any other white or male stereotype.
the jokes come with the rights!
152. swampsnake - February 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
copperdragon i agree wholeheartedly. i myself am part polish part scotish part welsh part native american{though i disagree with that term} also have black , asisn and all sorts of other in-laws we all tell all the jokes of racial,ethnic and gender. dont know if anyone will agree, but if you want to make the hate go away make fun of it and laugh it out of existance. life is to short fuck em if they cant take a joke
153. swampsnake - February 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
i’ve always liked …a bevy of beauties
154. copperdragon - February 14th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
swampsnake: wow, I thought “I” was a mutt!!! thanks for the support. some of the high-and-mighty PC folks are getting a little worked up.
like you said — fuck em if they cant take a joke (and if they’re cute, fuck em anyway)
155. copperdragon - February 14th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
a ‘bland’ of Politically Correct practitioners
an ‘altar’ of religious zealots
a ‘rush’ of right-wing politicians
156. bwugi - February 14th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
love the list!
i really enjoyde reading all the comments.
mind if i join
a chowder of tacks (clowder of cats haha!)
a bulb of Harleys (^%#_!)
an ash of moles
a gum of tartar
a chime of tweakers
baalsbum: i think i read that “a bunch of wankers” in a Sehldon or Gaiman book
157. SlickWilly - February 15th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I might just point out to copperdragon that he/she was the one making a fuss about how un-PC the lists were. Do you think about what you do, ever, or do you just do it? Don’t bitch for diversity on one thread and then go and make racist jokes in the other. Bill Hicks could get away with it because he was *on stage* (which is very important, here — you see it’s all about context) and because he supported diversity *through* making racist and off-color jokes. It is a form of *performance art*. You may think you are doing the same thing….the only difference is, Bill Hicks was funny and people understood it was a joke.
158. SocialButterfly - February 15th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Thank you SlickWilly, that is exactly what I was trying to say. I agree that we need equality in which no one is pointed out as different but to be the person pointing out the differences when you had just told people to do the exact opposite…
That makes you a hypocrite.
159. flamama - February 15th, 2008 at 11:37 am
bucslim..ty, you are so right…after i wrote it, started thinking maybe nobody remembered the rumor and they prolly thought i was some weirdo off on a tangent.
160. loseitbonkers - February 15th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
who makes these up?
161. Clara - February 15th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
my favorite is “a legion of angels”
162. Late O’Day - February 15th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
What value are these in the real world, since no one actually uses them?
163. Crimanon - February 15th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
See if I don’t. I’m going out right now to get A Cup of Argyle socks. I love that reference.
164. Lewis - February 16th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Why do these exist??Who thought of them?
165. MarkJ - February 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
haha, my guess would be one of those LARPers sat around polishing his knight armor and thinking up these terms. When i wish to express a group of something, i usually use the technical term “a shit load” and it covers all my bases.
166. toolnut - February 19th, 2008 at 11:10 am
weird. . . I just saw a gaggle of geese in the park. Never thought I would actually need to use one of these in real life.
167. joe - February 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
what does that mean. . .a crow left of the murder. . .i kno its the incubus album but what are they getting at with that title?
168. Crimanon - March 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Found this one out yesterday… A Smack of Jellyfish, sounds painful.
169. Diogenes - March 30th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
some say ‘A barrel full of monkies” others say ” A shrewdness of apes”. why so shrewd?
and still others say, ” A pisser full of apes in cheap human suits”
170. szirmaic - April 4th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
If you want more (accurate) nouns of association check out the book An Exaltation of Larks by James Lipton (the guy from Inside the Actor’s Studio). The book includes all the terms on your list, as well as some others ( a wince of dentists). Lipton researched the terms for many years and wrote this book maybe twenty years ago.
171. copperdragon - April 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
social and slick: I don’t have to have a physical stage and microphone to express my opinion or poke fun at a group of people. In today’s world, the Internet IS everyone’s stage.
Everyone should be treated equally, whether in consideration for a top 10 list OR being targeted for a joke. I’m not so sensitive that I wear my heart on my sleeve.
If someone had said “a ’sperm’ of dragons”, I would not be offended. Puzzled, maybe, as I don’t get the connection, but not offended.
Lighten up.
172. copperdragon - April 30th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
a ‘confederacy’ of dunces
(can’t believe no one mentioned that one yet)
173. LaPortaMA - June 8th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
a rumble of bass-players
a screech of lead guitarists
and bash of drummers
a gurney of doctors
174. Tom - September 17th, 2008 at 8:05 am
bit late in the day here, but Brace can be used for two of anything. It is ususlly used for two pheasants or gamebird after they have been shot and tied together to hang over a shoulder or pole for easy carrying.
175. sparky - October 8th, 2008 at 10:54 am
These are collective nouns not nouns of association…