An unkindness of ravens : a book of collective nouns

**'A thoroughly entertaining and absorbing little publication, set out in an accessible and easy-to-read style' - The Bookbag** **Why are geese in a gaggle? Are crows really murderous? And what makes lions so proud?** **Collective nouns are one of the most charming oddities of the English language, often with seemingly bizarre connections to the groups they identify.** But have you ever stopped to wonder where these peculiar terms actually came from? Most of those found in this book have their origins in the Medieval Books of Courtesy, among the earliest works to be published in this country. Despite originating as a form of social etiquette reserved for the gentry, many of these collective nouns have survived to become a curious feature of today's everyday language. This absorbing book tells the stories of these evocative phrases, many of which have stood the test of time and are still in use today. Entertaining, informative and fascinating, __An Unkindness of Ravens__ is perfect for any history or language buff. A beautifully packaged, highly enjoyable collection that showcases the most unusual and interesting collective nouns in the English language-from the author of A Certain "Je Ne Sois Quoi" Why are geese in a gaggle? Are crows really murderous? And what makes lions so proud? Collective nouns are one of the most charming oddities of the English language, often with seemingly bizarre connections to the groups they identify. But have you ever stopped to wonder where these peculiar terms actually came from? Age-old phrases like Pitying of Turtle Doves to a Murder of Crows to modern collective nouns like an Elocution of Lawyers. This absorbing book tells the stories of these evocative phrases, many of which have stood the test of time and are still in use today. Entertaining, informative, and fascinating, An Unkindness of Ravens is perfect for any history or language buff. --Provided by publisher