What Is a Group of Cats Called? - Slideshow
There's a type of word in the English language called a "collective noun." It is a word used for a group of individuals. What is a group of cats called? It's called a clowder! A clowder of cats.
A group of cats can also be called a clutter, a glaring, or a pounce.
It seems as though most groups of cats would prefer to go by something that sounds more regal, like pride. However, pride is reserved for lions, and they are probably prepared to defend their turf . . . er, term.
A clowder of cats may sound strange, but it's not the oddest of the collective nouns:
There's also a shrewdness of apes. These guys do look like they're being shrewd.
A leap of leopards sounds like something from a Christmas carol, but it's a real term.
A crash of rhinoceroses actually makes a lot of sense.
A paddling of ducks seems too cute to be true.
An unkindness of ravens? These birds sure do get a bad rap.
A business of ferrets! Business is the last thing a group of ferrets ever seems to care about.
Just to avoid confusion, clowder is not the word for a group of kittens. Nope, it's a kindle of kittens.
But it isn't an iPad of puppies. It's something that really makes a lot more sense, and anyone who's ever cared for a group of puppies probably could have guessed it. It's a piddle of puppies.
Sometimes English is fun!
References:
Lipton, J. (1968). An Exaltation of Larks. New York: Grossman Publishers, Inc.
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