A group of deer is appropriately known as a brace. What Does “A Brace of Deer” Mean? “Brace” is another of the old, number-specific hunting terms attached to deer, and unlike more open-ended words like “herd” or “bunch,” it means exactly two. The word comes from the same hunting and falconry tradition that gave English … Read more
A group of buffalo is appropriately known as a gang. What Does “A Gang of Buffalo” Mean? “Gang” gives buffalo a rougher, tighter-knit image than the more familiar “herd,” and it fits a specific slice of buffalo social life: the smaller, often all-male groups known as bachelor herds. Young and older males that aren’t currently … Read more
A group of buffalo is appropriately known as a herd. What Does “A Herd of Buffalo” Mean? “Herd” is the standard, most common term for a group of buffalo, and it describes one of the more genuinely impressive examples of coordinated defense in the animal kingdom. African buffalo, in particular, are known for forming tight … Read more
A group of buffalo is appropriately known as an obstinacy. What Does “An Obstinacy of Buffalo” Mean? “Obstinacy” is a character reference as much as a collective noun, and buffalo have more than earned it. African buffalo in particular have a reputation, among guides, researchers, and anyone who’s spent time around them, for being unpredictable … Read more
A group of cats is appropriately known as a cluster. What Does “A Cluster of Cats” Mean? “Cluster” leans into a very specific, very relatable cat behavior: piling together for warmth. Cats are drawn to heat sources with almost magnetic reliability, a sunny windowsill, a radiator, a laundry pile fresh from the dryer, and when … Read more
