It's the end of summer and I feel like celebrating, so let's have a little fun.
For starters, what do you call a group of cowboys? Don't
know? I didn't either until I read an Exaltation of Larks by James Lipton.
Most of the terms were codified during
the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. After reading Lipton's book I must say
those Elizabethans and Victorians sure did have a sense of humor. Who else could have come up with a rash of
dermatologists, a prickle of porcupines, or transparency of toupees?
So what do you call a group of cowpokes?
Why a saunter of cowboys, of
course! Here are more western
terms. Some you might already know:
A spread of
Texans
A drove of
cattle
A coalition
of miners
A string of
ponies.
A quiver of
arrows
A trace of
bounty hunters
A stud of
poker players
A herd of
harlots
A streak of
gamblers
An obstinacy
of buffaloes
A converting
of preachers
A hangout of nudists
(Couldn't
resist throwing that one in)
So dear browse of readers,
Some of the familiar terms that
have lasted through the years are den of thieves, flight of stairs and comedy
of errors. Can you think of any others? I can't wait to see your blizzard of quotes.
What do you call Christmas in a Cowboy's Arms?
Heavenly!
A passell of trouble? I couldn't think of what to pair passell with....and I understand it's a version of the word parcel. (according to the Webster Dictionary on Google, which I used to see what THEY paired it with)
ReplyDeleteLove this list! Looking forward to reading this book, too! :)
ReplyDeletethis is such a fun list. this looks like a wonderfully fun book
ReplyDeletequilting dash lady at Comcast dot net