Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1900 — Perils of the Engiish Language. [ARTICLE]

Perils of the Engiish Language.

Imagine yourself a foreigner striving to master tbe construction of tbe English language. Perhaps you may be gaziug at a number of vessels on tbe water, and exclaim, “See what a flock of ships!” Y'ou are at once told that a flock of ships is called a fleet, and that a fleet of sheep Is called a flock. It might also be added for your future guidance that a flock of girls is called a bevy, while a bevy of wolves is called a pack; yet a pack of thieves is called a gang, and a gang of angels la called a host; but a host of porpoises Is called a shoal, and a shoal of buffaloes Is called a herd. Still, a herd of children Is called a troop, but a troop of partridges is called a covey; a covey of beauties la called a galaxy, while a galaxy of rufflona Is called a horde; further, a horde of rubbish Is called & heap, yet a heap of oxen la called a drove; a drove of blackguards Is called a mob; but a mob of whale* Is called a school; a school of worshipers Is called a congregation, while a congregation of engineers is called a corps; a corps of robbers is called a bond, though a band of locusts Is called a swarm, and a swarm of people is called a crowd; a crowd of pictures Is called a collection, but a collection of money is called a hoard, and a board of people Is called a company; a company of minister*, however, Is called an assembly, and an assembly of soldiers Is called a muster. “Stop, stop!” mcthlnks I hear you cry. “I cannot remember half of It.”