We loved the challenge issued by NPR’s Studio 360, noting the collective nouns referring to a group of like animals—for example “an exaltation of larks” or “a murder of crows.” They challenged listeners to create collectives for a list of types of humans.
Here are a few of the creative answers they received on their website.
A Crescendo of Operagoers
A Subscription of Operagoers
An Appreciation of Operagoers
An Arc of Yoga Instructors
A Posture of Yoga Instructors
A Mat of Yoga Instructors
We would love to hear ideas for a collective noun for Women of a Certain Age. Use the comment box below to tell us yours.
Editor’s Note: The marvelous treasury An Exaltation of Larks is still available! You’ll find the Ultimate Edition at http://www.amazon.com/An-Exaltation-Larks-Ultimate-Edition/dp/0140170960. It promises “more than 1,100 resurrected or newly minted contributions to that most endangered of all species, our language.”
I belong to Crone of Puget Sound, for women 55 and on, though we have a few younger members. It refers to the older wise women definition, while also turning a derogatory on its head. so, inspired by Susanna, I offer
A wisdom of crones
but one could play endlessly with
a celebration of crones
a congratulation of crones
a convocation of crones
a commendation of crones
a constitution of crones
a conflagration of crones
a confrontation of crones
a cultivation of crones
a cooperation of crones
well, you get the idea
Probably too obvious but how about a “Wisdom of Women”?