The Collective Nouns

There are two varieties of collective noun listed here. When i receive a submission, i check all available sources for a reference. If i find one (in, for instance, a dictionary), i denote it here as a "submission". If i don't, i denote it a "suggestion". Feel free to submit a collective noun if you don't find it here. The goal is not (yet) to be comprehensive - merely entertaining.

This list is alphabetical by the collective noun. You'll note that there are multiple listings for a few types, for instance, "a hive of bees" and "a swarm of bees". These typically refer to terms that stem from different types of collection. In the example, "hive" is from the domicile of bees, and "swarm" is from a group of flying bees. This will be noted, and derivation given, where possible and confirmed. Please feel free to submit derivations (or even corrections!) for verification.

An aarmory of aardvarks (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An abandonment of orphans (-suggested by Toni Stern, via Gerald 'Jerry' Rounds, [email protected])
An abominable sight of monks (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An absence of waiters (-suggested by Alexander Page, [email protected])
An accompaniment of condiments (-suggested by David Lloyd-Mostyn, [email protected])
An addition of mathematicians (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An agenda of tasks (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
An amble of walkers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An ambush of widows (-suggested by Angi Drew, [email protected])
An annoyance of mobile phones (-suggested by [email protected])
An anthology of prostitutes (derivation: see below⁵ -suggested by Mic Bergen, [email protected])
An anvil of blacksmiths (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An archive of programmers (-suggested by Frank A. Geisel, [email protected])
An armada of ships (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
An army of caterpillars (-CCW²-)
An army of frogs (-MG³-)
An array of luminaries (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
An assemblage of jigsaw puzzlers (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
An assembly of toys (-suggested by Brian French, [email protected])
An asylum of managers (-suggested by Rodney Jude, [email protected])
An atlas of maps (-submitted by David Bannister, [email protected], from the CD-ROM version of the OED-)
An attitude of teenagers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An audit of accountants (-suggested by Richard Blackwell, [email protected])
An audit of bookkeepers (-suggested by Richard Blackwell, [email protected])
An aurora of polar bears (-suggested by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
An autumn of leaves (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A babel of words (-suggested by Michael G. Pirrello, CHMM, [email protected])
A balance of accountants (-suggested by Dan Hubbard, [email protected])
A bale of turtles
A ballet of swans (-suggested by Diane L. Gottheiner, [email protected])
A band of gorillas
A band of jays (-MG³-)
A band of men (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A bank of circuits (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A bank of monitors (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A barren of mules (-MG³-)
A battery of tests (-submitted by David Henderson, [email protected])
A beautification of spatulas (-suggested by jeff brown, [email protected])
A bed of clams (-MG³-)
A bed of oysters (-MG³-)
A bed of snakes (-CCW²-)
A belt of asteroids (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A bend of willows (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A bestiary of mythological creatures (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A bevy of beauties (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A bevy of business angels (-according to the November Newsletter of YABA-)
A bevy of dowagers (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A bevy of quail
A bevy of swans (-MG³-)
A bevy of tanked sorority girls (possibly from Outland, -submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A bill of particulars (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A billing of consultants (-suggested by Brian French, [email protected])
A billow of smokers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A blaze of pyromaniacs (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A blessing of unicorns (-submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A bloat of hippopotami (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A blur of bicyclists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A blush of embarassments (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A boast of soldiers (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A body of pathologists (-suggested by several contributers⁷-)
A bond of British secret agents (-suggested by Rex Stocklin, [email protected])
A bongsuckling of white house staffers (-suggested by Daniel J. Lash, [email protected])
A boo of surprises (-submitted by David Henderson, [email protected])
A book of mormons (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A bottle of source code (-suggested by Paul Gallagher, [email protected])
A bouquet of flowers (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A bouquet of pheasants (when flushed. -TR¹-)
A bout of estimations (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A brace of grouse
A brace of orthodontists (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A bridge of admirals (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A brigade of soldiers (-submitted by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A broadside of (artillery) shells (on water. -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A brood of hens (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A buffoonery of orangutans (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A building of rooks (-TR¹-)
A bunch of drongoes (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A bunch of grapes (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A bunch of janes (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A burden of yolks (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A bury of conies (-MG³-)
A business of ferrets (-submitted by Liz Moore, [email protected])
A business of flies (-CCW²-)
A buttload of proctologists (-suggested by [email protected])
A cackle of hyenas (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A calendar of saints (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A camp of transvestites (-suggested by Brett_Adkins, [email protected] Suggestion-)
A candle of tapirs (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A cast of actors (thousands, etc., in a performance -thanks to fisher, [email protected])
A cast of falcons (-TR¹-)
A cast of hawks
A cavalcade of horsemen (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A cavvy of extra cowboy mounts (-MG³-)
A cete of badgers
A chain of islands (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A charlotte of webpages (-submitted by David Henderson, [email protected])
A charm of finches
A chattering of choughs
A chorus of angels (-submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A circle of Babbitts (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A circus of fighter (aircraft -submitted by David Bannister, [email protected], from the CD-ROM version of the OED-)
A clank of tanks (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A class of students
A clatter of tanks (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A clench of sphincters (-suggested by Rowan Hamilton, [email protected])
A click of (computer) mice (-submitted by David Henderson, [email protected])
A clipping of geldings (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A cloud of bats (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A cloud of gnats
A cloud of grasshoppers (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A cloud of plankton (-suggested by David Lucas, [email protected])
A clowder of cats
A clump of freshman (-suggested by Dave Mallick, [email protected])
A cluster of alpha computers (-from Tips, Tidbits, and Technical Topics-)
A cluster of grasshoppers (-CCW²-)
A clutch of auto mechanics (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A clutch of chicks
A clutch of eggs (-CCW²-)
A clutch of kleptomaniacs (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A clutch of leering women (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A clutch of testicles (-suggested by Ron Carroll, [email protected])
A clutch of wrestlers (-suggested by Joan Garinger, [email protected])
A clutter of cats
A clutter of starlings (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A collective of nouns (-suggested by Bruce Crichton, [email protected])
A college of electors (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A colony of ants (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A colony of beavers (-CCW²-)
A colony of gulls (-MG³-)
A colony of microbiologists (-suggested by Brad Childs, [email protected] of Australia-)
A colony of penguins (-TR¹-)
A colony of rabbits (-ojo⁶-)
A company of parrots (-TR¹-)
A company of soldiers (-submitted by [email protected])
A compromise of senators (-suggested by Daniel J. Lash, [email protected])
A conflagration of arsonists (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A conflagration of pyromaniacs (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A confusion of [traffic] cones (-suggested by Margaret Webb, [email protected])
A confusion of meanderings (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A congregation of people (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A congregation of plovers
A congregation of worshipers
A congress of baboons (-suggested by an entry in the Harvard On-line Library-)
A consort of Corgwyn ("Corgwyn - pronounced "corg'n," I think - is the plural for Corgi, either Pembroke or Cardigan". -suggested by Chris, [email protected])
A conspiracy of ravens (-submitted from Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A constable of ravens (-suggested by Adrian de Bear, [email protected])
A constellation of satellites (-suggested by Patrick Murphy, [email protected])
A constellation of stars (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A constituency of voters (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A convention of tongues (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A convocation of eagles (-MG³-)
A cornucopia of slugs (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A corps of cadets (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A coven of witches (-submitted by Alan Montemayor, [email protected])
A cover of coots (-TR¹,⁶-)
A covey of grouse (-TR¹-)
A covey of partridges (-TR¹-)
A covey of pheasants (while on the ground. -CCW²-)
A covey of ptarmigans (-TR¹-)
A covey of quail
A cowardice of curs (-CCW²-)
A crash of rhinoceroses (in contemporary use in Kenya Game Reports. -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A crash of software (-suggested by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A creep of tortoises (-suggested by Susan Burton, [email protected])
A crew of military barbers (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A crush of shoppers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A crowd of onlookers
A cruft of hackers (-according to The Hacker's Dictionary-)
A crush of icebergs (-suggested by Michael, [email protected])
A cry of hounds
A cry of players (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A culture of bacteria (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A cutch of vellum (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A cupful of starlets (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A cutting of cynics (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A dawn of morning glories (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A death-row of turkeys (in November. -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A debauchery of Hedonists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A deck of sailors (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A deceit of lapwings
A deficit of economists (-suggested by Ted Roseman, [email protected])
A density of meatheads (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A descent of woodpeckers
A design of engineers (-suggested by Frank A. Geisel, [email protected])
A desperation of divorcees (-suggested by Toni Stern, via Gerald 'Jerry' Rounds, [email protected])
A desperation of voters (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A dilation of pupils (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A disputation of lawyers (-suggested by Lee Daniel Quinn, [email protected])
A dissimulation of birds (-TR¹-)
A divergence of Canadians (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A division of soldiers (-submitted by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A dole of doves (-CCW²-)
A donut of data (-from The Hacker's Dictionary-)
A doom of dragons (-suggested by [email protected])
A dose of doctors (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A down of hares
A draught of fish (-MG³-)
A dray of squirrels
A drift of hogs (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A drift of icebergs (-suggested by Michael, [email protected])
A drift of swine
A dropping of pigeons (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A drove of cabbies (-suggested by R. & K. Mendell, [email protected])
A drove of cattle
A dule of doves (-MG³-)
A drumming of grouse (derivation: their mating call, generated with the wings. -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A durante of toucans (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An ecstasy of Morgans (-from the Morgan Factory-)
An embarrassment of parents (for use by teenagers, -suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
An embarrassment of riches (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An encroachment of fence-builders (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
An ensemble of homosexuals (-suggested by David Rachlin, [email protected])
An equanimity of tranquilizers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An ergo of Cartesians (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An erst of bees (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
An evensong of choirboys (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An exaltation of larks (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A fall of woodcocks (-TR¹-)
A falling of dominoes (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A fascination of listeners (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A fascination of on-lookers (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A fesnyng of ferrets (see "fesnyng" background -submitted by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A fidget of altarboys (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A fidget of suspects (-suggested by Dennis Meyler, [email protected])
A field of racehorses (-MG³,⁶-)
A fistful of dollars (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A flag of Americans (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A flap of nuns (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A fleet of ships (-submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A flight of cormorants (-TR¹-)
A flight of doves (-TR¹-)
A flight of golf balls (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A flight of goshawks (-TR¹-)
A flight of refugees (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A flight of stairs (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A flight of swallows
A flink of cows (twelve or more, submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A flitch of bacon (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A float of crocodiles (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A flock of sheep (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A flock of tourists (-suggested by an anonymous fan-)
A flotilla of ships (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A flourish of blossoms (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A flunk of students (-suggested by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A flush of wing commanders (aka "WCs". -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A fluther of jellyfish (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
A flock of white Christmas trees (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A flood of plumbers (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A fold of chairs (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A formality of penguins (-suggested by [email protected])
A formation of geologists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A freeze of Northerners (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A fright of ghosts (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A gaggle of geese (wild or domesticated, notes -TR¹, on water⁶-)
A gaggle of pill poppers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A galaxy of stars (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A galaxy of starlets (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A gallop of Greyhounds (-suggested by Chris, [email protected])
A gam of whales (-MG³-)
A gambol of dancers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A gang of elk
A gang of hoodlums (-submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A gatling of woodpeckers (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A geek of engineers (-suggested by Adam Pederson, [email protected])
A giggle of girls (-suggested by Kyle Hasselbacher, [email protected])
A glacier of freezers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A glitter of generals (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A glossolalia of pentacostals (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A glut of parrs (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A glut of pleasure (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A gossip of relatives (-suggested by David Rachlin, [email protected])
A government of episcopalians (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A greed of lawyers (-suggested by Mic Bergen, [email protected])
A grind of chores (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A grip of hand tools (-suggested by Adam Pederson, [email protected])
A grist of bees (-MG³-)
A groan of puns (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A gross of farts (-suggested by Peter Smith, [email protected])
A grove of trees (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A grumble of Pugs (-suggested by Chris, [email protected])
A guilt of pleasures (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A gush of sycophants (-suggested by Mal Walker, [email protected])
A hailstorm of gunships (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A hamper of helpers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A hand of bananas (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A handful of palm readers (-suggested by R. & K. Mendell, [email protected])
A harmony of beauties (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A harmony of singers (suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A hassle of errands (-suggested by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A hatchet of corporate downsizing proposals (-suggested by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A heap of front-end loaders (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A heap of trash (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A heard of blind people (-suggested by Andy Roberts, [email protected])
A herd of elephants
A herd of horses (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A herd of pigs (-suggested by Lisa Donnelly, [email protected])
A herd of wrens (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
A hide of tigers (-suggested by Margaret Harley-)
A hill of beans (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A hiss of lisps (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A hive of bees (derivation: habitat.)
A horde of gnats
A host of angels (-submitted from Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A host of sparrows
A hover of hummingbirds (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A hover of trout
A huddle of hippos (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A huddle of lawyers (-submitted by Dennis Meyler, [email protected])
A huddle of players (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A huff of people who write letters to the editor (-found in some web page in Australia-)
A hug of teddy bears (-submitted by Danie Cox-Tonkin, [email protected], quoting The Teddy Bear Encyclopedia by Pauline Cockrill, ISBN 1-56458-302-3-)
A hum of bees (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A husk of hares (-MG³-)
An immersion of baptists (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An imposition of in-laws (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An incantation of warlocks (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
An incantation of witches (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
An incision of surgeons (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
An indecision of managers (-suggested by Tim Hamilton, [email protected])
A jackson of gloves (-suggested by Paul Gallagher, [email protected])
A jagger of tongues (-suggested by Paul Gallagher, [email protected])
A jam of tarts (-suggested by Mic Bergen, [email protected])
A jungle of Nazis (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A Kervorkian of I.U. Med Students (-suggested by Daniel J. Lash, [email protected])
A kettle of drums (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A kettle of hawks (riding a thermal -TR¹-)
A kindle of kittens (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A kneeling of parishioners (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A knot of eels (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A knot of frogs (-suggested by Rex Stocklin, [email protected], quoting Richard Lederer's "The Play of Words"-)
A knot of renters (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A knot of Scottish bankers (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A knot of shoelaces (-suggested by Amellia Kapa, [email protected])
A knot of toads (derivation: appearance.)
A knuckle of gangsters (-suggested by Alexandra Irvin, [email protected])
A labour of moles (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
A leap of hares (-submitted by [email protected])
A leap of leopards (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A leash of foxes
A leash of hares (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A lechery of priests (-suggested by Toni Stern, via Gerald 'Jerry' Rounds, [email protected])
A lie of politicians (-submitted anonymously-)
A litter of pigs
A luck of dice (-suggested by Ginny Gross, [email protected])
A lump of toads (-suggested by Rowan Hamilton, [email protected])
A machination of monkeys (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A magnum of hitmen (-suggested by Kyle Hasselbacher, [email protected])
A mask of raccoons (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A mass of Catholics (-suggested by Dave Mallick, [email protected])
A mass of priests (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A maul of bears (-suggested by Karl Broughton, [email protected])
A maze of canyons (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A meaning of dictionaries (-suggested by Amellia Kapa, [email protected])
A medusa of knots (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A meet of racehorses (-suggested by Karl Broughton, [email protected])
A meeting of quakers (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A melee of rioters (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A membership of presbyterians (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A menage of mongrels (-suggested by Chris, [email protected])
A mess of grits (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A mess of little boys (-suggested by Joan Garinger, [email protected])
A mess of officers (-submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A mess of pottage (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A mint of candies (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A minuscule of sub-atomic particles (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A minyan of Jews (the quorum for a congregation, -submitted by David Rachlin, [email protected])
A mixture of pharmacists (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A moan of lamentations (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A mob of kangaroo (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A mob of Texans (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A mug of narcissists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A multiplication of loafers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A murder of crows
A murmur of alliterations (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A murmer of nuns (as of their sound. -suggested by proman, [email protected])
A murmuration of starlings (-TR¹-)
A muscle of marines (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A muster of peacocks
A muster of soldiers (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A muster of storks (-TR¹-)
A mustering of storks (-suggested by Rex Stocklin, [email protected], quoting Richard Lederer's "The Play of Words"-)
A mute of hounds
A nag of grandparents (-suggested by David Rachlin, [email protected])
A nest of bowls (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A nest of machine guns (-suggested by Greg D., [email protected])
A nest of mice (-CCW²-)
A nest of rabbits (in their habitat -CCW²-)
A nest of vipers (-CCW²-)
A nest of wasps (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A network of computers (linked together -submitted by Bob Brennert, [email protected])
A nobility of beasts (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A number of mathematicians (-suggested by Ted Roseman, [email protected])
A nye of pheasants (while on the ground. -CCW²-)
An observance of hermits (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An obscurity of poets (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An orchestra of crickets (-suggested by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
An orchestra of musicians
An order of waiters (-suggested by Karl Schonborn, [email protected])
An ostentation of peacocks (-TR¹-)
A pace of asses (-MG³-)
A pack of hounds (-MG³-)
A pack of suitcases (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A pack of wolves (-MG³-)
A pad of (sheets of) paper (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A paddling of ducks (while swimming. -CCW²-)
A pail of wasps (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A pair of horses
A palm of wankers (-suggested by Adrian de Bear, [email protected])
A pander of toadies (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A pantheon of gods (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A parade of penguins (-submitted by [email protected])
A parliament of owls
A parliament of rooks (-submitted by Janice, [email protected])
A party of jays (-TR¹-)
A passel of brats (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A patch of flowers (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A pathos of mourners (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A patter of footsteps (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A peal of bells (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A peep of chickens (-TR¹-)
A peep-show of CDs (-suggested by Paul Gallagher, [email protected])
A pencil of lines (proper contemporary group term in mathematics. -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A pension of condominiums (-suggested by Paul Gallagher, [email protected])
A phalanx of umbrellas (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A piddle of puppies (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A pie-full of apples (-suggested by an anonymous fan-)
A pile of dung (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A pinhead of angels (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A pink of liberals (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A piteousness of doves (-CCW²-)
A pithy of truths (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A pitying of turtledoves (-TR¹-)
A plague of locusts (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A plane of geometrists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A platoon of soldiers (-submitted by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A plump of waterfowl (-submitted by Dave M. Carden, [email protected])
A plump of wildfowl (-suggested by Rex Stocklin, [email protected], quoting Richard Lederer's "The Play of Words"-)
A plunder of goons (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A pod of seals
A pod of whales (-CCW²-)
A poke of fencers (-suggested by Mic Bergen, [email protected])
A pomposity of professors (from Boston Common -submitted by Matthew M. Burke, [email protected])
A ponder of philosophers (-suggested by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A pontificality of prelates (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A posse of cock-turkeys (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A posse of posers (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A prattle of parrots (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A pretension of intellects (-suggested by Toni Stern, via Gerald 'Jerry' Rounds, [email protected])
A prevarication of consultants (-suggested by James Macrae, [email protected], from a colleague, [email protected])
A prey of nuns (-suggested by Peter Smith, [email protected])
A prickle of hedgehogs (-submitted by Duane Godwin, [email protected])
A prickle of porcupines (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A pride of lions
A pride of stage mothers (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A propriety of nouns (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A pryde of griffins (-suggested by Matthew Buenaflor, [email protected])
A pull of silk-screens (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A pumphouse of egos (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A quake of cowards (-suggested by Brian French, [email protected])
A quake of seismologists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A quarrel of lawyers (suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A quaver of arias (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A quiz of teachers (-suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A rabble of rats (-suggested by Ken Gower, [email protected])
A rack of gears (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A radiance of cardinals (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A raft of canvass-back ducks (-submitted by David Bannister, [email protected], from the CD-ROM version of the OED-)
A raft of ducks (while idle in water. -CCW²-)
A raft of widgeon (-submitted by David Bannister, [email protected], from the CD-ROM version of the OED-)
A rafter of turkeys (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A rain of cats and dogs (-suggested by Phillip Blackerby, [email protected])
A ramuda of horses (in a large group, as a herd) (-suggested by Phillip Blackerby, [email protected])
A Rand of Objectivists (-suggested by Greg Hanka, [email protected])
A range of mountains (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A ream of bureaucrats (-suggested by Joseph Nied, [email protected])
A reflection of narcissists (-suggested by Paul Healy, [email protected])
A regatta of swans (on water. -suggested by Mal Walker, [email protected])
A release of anglers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A remuda of extra cowboy mounts (-MG³-)
A rhyme of poets (suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A richness of martens (-MG³-)
A ring of keys (linked physically, -submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A rope of pearls (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A round of circumnavigations (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A round of drinks (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A route of wolves (-submitted by Rex Stocklin, [email protected], quoting Richard Lederer's "The Play of Words"-)
A rumble of artillery (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A rumpus of baboons (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A run of cowards (-suggested by Rex Stocklin, [email protected])
A run of poultry (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A rush of overnight couriers (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A rush of pochard (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
A salon of Poodles (-suggested by Chris, [email protected])
A salt substrate of potato chips (-from The Hacker's Dictionary-)
A salt substrate of pretzels (-from The Hacker's Dictionary-)
A salt substrate of saltines (-from The Hacker's Dictionary-)
A salvo of [artillery] shells (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A scale of ichthyologists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A scandal of shoes (-suggested by [email protected])
A school of fish (derivation: error. Was originally "shoal".)
A sedge of cranes
A sea of bishops (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A set of mathematicians (-suggested by Ted Roseman, [email protected])
A sheaf of wheat (stalks of grain tied together. -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A shitload of troubles (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A shoal of bass
A shoal[e] of goslings (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A shoal of shad (-submitted by David Bannister, [email protected], from the CD-ROM version of the OED-)
A shock of corn (pile of stalks. -submitted by ojo⁶-)
A shortage of dwarves (-from the Globe and Mail Newspaper?, submitted anonymously-)
A shrewdness of apes
A siege of herons
A singular of boars (-MG³-)
A skein of geese (in flight, notes -TR¹,⁶-)
A skulk of foxes (derivation: behavior.)
A slate of candidates (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A slew of homework (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A slice of circumcisions (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A slither of gossip columnists (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A slither of snakes (-suggested by David Rachlin, [email protected])
A sloth of bears (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A smack of jellyfish (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
A smashing of luddites (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A smuth of jellyfish (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
A snap of photographers (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A sneak of weasels (derivation: behavior. -Laura John, [email protected])
A Sodom of shepherds (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A souffle of clouds (derivation: appearance -suggested by Ron Hawker, [email protected])
A sord of mallards (-TR¹-)
A sounder of swine (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A Sousa of marching bands (suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A splash of puddles (-suggested by Amellia Kapa, [email protected])
A spread of nymphomaniacs (-suggested by [someone at] Evergreen School of English, [email protected])
A sprig of vegetarians (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A spring of seals
A spring of teal (-TR¹-)
A sproutness of mushrooms (-suggested by David Rachlin, [email protected])
A squad of soldiers (-submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A squash of sermons (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A squeal of nieces (-suggested by Katherine Spivey, [email protected])
A squint of proofreaders (-suggested by Katherine Spivey, [email protected])
A stable of prostitutes (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A staff of employees (-submitted by Philip F. Karpel, Jr., [email protected])
A stand of flamingo (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A stand of trees (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A stash of weed (when hidden, -submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A steam of turds (-suggested by Adrian de Bear, [email protected])
A stench of skunks (-submitted by David Henderson, [email protected])
A stock of portfolio managers (-suggested by R, K, & F, [email protected])
A storm of paratroops (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A strangle of bad laws (-suggested by Ron Hawker, [email protected])
A streak of tigers (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A stretch of giraffes (-suggested by Katherine Spivey, [email protected])
A string of ponies (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A stripe of zebras (-suggested by David Rachlin, [email protected])
A stud of mares
A studk of jellyfish (-submitted by ojo, [email protected], from Atlantic Veterinary College-)
A subtlety of designers (-suggested by Frank A. Geisel, [email protected])
A sulk of teenagers (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A superfluity of nuns (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A superfluity of priests (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A superfluity of similes (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A swarm of bees (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A swarm of cockroaches (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A swarm of dirty ragged plebeians (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A swarm of haries (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A swarm of literary drones (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A swarm of suitors (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A swarm of sycophants (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A sweetness of sopranos (suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A swelter of blankets (-suggested by Katherine Spivey, [email protected])
A tangle of tricksters (according to Ms. Carol Ramsey and the classes of English 160 W97006 and English 160 W97008 at Camosun College in Victoria, BC. Canada -submitted by Prof. Peter Montgomery, [email protected])
A team of atheletes (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A team of ducks (while flying. (-CCW²-)
A team of horses
A team of oxen (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A tedium of golfers (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A terror of terriers ("as any cat knows!" -suggested by Chris, [email protected])
A ticktock of clocks (-submitted by David Henderson, [email protected])
A tidings of magpies (-TR¹-)
A tilt of windmills (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A tok of capercailzies (i.e., Old World grouse -MG³-)
A tongue lashing of interpreters (-suggested by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A totter of giraffes (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A tough of lesbians (-suggested by David Rachlin, [email protected])
A treachery of spies (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A tribe of goats (-MG³-)
A tribe of monkeys (-MG³-)
A tribe of natives (-submitted by Marila Belcher, [email protected])
A trip of dotterel (-TR¹-)
A trip of goats
A troop of kangaroo (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A troop of monkeys (-suggested by Rex Stocklin, [email protected], quoting Richard Lederer's "The Play of Words"-)
A troup of performers (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A tumult of tubas (suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A tuz of hair (-suggested by David Bannister, [email protected])
A tyranny of dictators (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A ubiquity of sparrows (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
An undulation of hills (-suggested by RP⁴-)
An unkindness of ravens (-submitted by Eve Costello-)
A vagary of impediments (-suggested by Chet Meek, [email protected])
A vane of directions (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A vein of goldfinch (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A vigor of hybrids (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A vision of optometrists (-suggested by Amellia Kapa, [email protected])
A visit of jehovah's witnesses (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A volery of birds (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A waddle of Basset Hounds (-suggested by Chris, [email protected])
A wailing of Weight Watchers (-suggested by Sue Henczel, [email protected], from Anne M. Murphy-)
A wake of vultures (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A walk of snipe (-MG³-)
A wash of emotions (-suggested by Rex Stocklin, [email protected])
A watch of nightingales
A wave of surfers (-suggested by Brian French, [email protected])
A wealth of information
A wedge of geese (flying in a "V", -TR¹-)
A wedge of swans (flying in a "V", -TR¹-)
A whale of surfers (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A whistle of modems (-suggested by Jerry Pournelle in a BYTE article-)
A whored of prostitutes (-suggested by Phillip Blackerby, [email protected])
A wiggle of Elvis impersonators (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A wing of (fighter) aircraft (-submitted by Jason Harris, [email protected])
A wisdom of grandparents (-suggested by Jim Ahlberg, [email protected])
A wisdom of owls (-thanks to Diane L. Gottheiner, [email protected])
A wisp of snipe
A wolfpack of submarines (-submitted by ojo⁶-)
A wriggle of worms (-suggested by Norman Peters, [email protected])
A wonder of stars (-suggested by RP⁴-)
A yoke of pilots (-suggested by R. & K. Mendell, [email protected])
A yoke of oxen

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¹TR denotes Terry Ross, author of Group Names for Birds
²CCW denotes Crane C. Walden, [email protected]
³MG denotes Matt Goers, [email protected], quoting from The Trivia Encyclopedia and Webster's New Dictionary and Thesaurus, Concise edition (see the bibliography)
⁴RP denotes Richard Paterak, [email protected]
⁵According to [email protected]:

The suggestion about an anthology of prostitutes is part of a joke I heard years ago:
A group of specialists in collective nouns was in bar an observed such a group of professionals and came up with the following:
A jam of tarts
A flourish of strumpets
An anthology of English pros

⁶Confirmed by [email protected] in An Exaltation of Larks: The Ultimate Edition, by James Lipton, published by Penguin USA, 1993. ISBN 0-140-17096-0.
⁷Submitted by Jeannette van Arenthals ([email protected]), Robert S Owen ([email protected]), and Richard Wakem ([email protected]), the last of whom gives the following reference:

In the English TV-series 'Inspector Morse', the protagonist asks this colleagues at the scene of the crime if there is a collective noun for pathologists. They decide on 'a body of pathologists'