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#1
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been
surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? TIA. Spider |
#2
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
-- .. "Spider" wrote in message ... Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? TIA. Spider Swarm http://rinkworks.com/words/collective.shtml Kind regards Mike |
#3
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
In message , Spider
writes Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? TIA. Spider Google finds swarm (which I would restrict to only some aggregations of butterflies) and rabble (which is new to me). Perhaps cloud would also qualify. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
#4
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message ... In message , Spider writes Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? TIA. Spider Google finds swarm (which I would restrict to only some aggregations of butterflies) and rabble (which is new to me). Perhaps cloud would also qualify. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley Thank you Mike and Stewart. Swarm seems to be favourite. In case you're interested (and even if you're not :~)), my neighbours were suggesting a 'luxury' of butterflies and a 'concord' of butterflies. A 'beguilement' of butterflies would be my suggestion: I love an alitteration (and many collective nouns are alitterations) and I was certainly beguiled. However, a swarm will do. I'll pass it on. Spider |
#5
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
On 2009-05-29 22:31:38 +0100, "Spider" said:
"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message ... In message , Spider writes Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? TIA. Spider Google finds swarm (which I would restrict to only some aggregations of butterflies) and rabble (which is new to me). Perhaps cloud would also qualify. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley Thank you Mike and Stewart. Swarm seems to be favourite. In case you're interested (and even if you're not :~)), my neighbours were suggesting a 'luxury' of butterflies and a 'concord' of butterflies. A 'beguilement' of butterflies would be my suggestion: I love an alitteration (and many collective nouns are alitterations) and I was certainly beguiled. However, a swarm will do. I'll pass it on. Spider I'd go for a 'flutter' of butterflies myself - or perhaps a 'frivol'. ;-) -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
#6
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-05-29 22:31:38 +0100, "Spider" said: "Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message ... In message , Spider writes Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? TIA. Spider Google finds swarm (which I would restrict to only some aggregations of butterflies) and rabble (which is new to me). Perhaps cloud would also qualify. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley Thank you Mike and Stewart. Swarm seems to be favourite. In case you're interested (and even if you're not :~)), my neighbours were suggesting a 'luxury' of butterflies and a 'concord' of butterflies. A 'beguilement' of butterflies would be my suggestion: I love an alitteration (and many collective nouns are alitterations) and I was certainly beguiled. However, a swarm will do. I'll pass it on. Spider I'd go for a 'flutter' of butterflies myself - or perhaps a 'frivol'. ;-) -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon 'Flutter' is good. They were definitely doing that. Spider |
#7
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
"Martin" wrote in message ... On Fri, 29 May 2009 20:05:15 +0100, "Spider" wrote: Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? A cloud. -- Martin Mmm ... I wondered lonely as a butterfly ... No. That won't do; there were oodles of them. Spider |
#8
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
"Martin" wrote in message ... On Fri, 29 May 2009 22:33:27 +0100, "Spider" wrote: "Martin" wrote in message . .. On Fri, 29 May 2009 20:05:15 +0100, "Spider" wrote: Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. This has brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? A cloud. -- Martin Mmm ... I wondered lonely as a butterfly ... No. That won't do; there were oodles of them. Somebody once said "I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, ..." -- Martin Indeed. Wasn't that a certain Spider? Spider |
#9
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
On 2009-05-29 22:55:34 +0100, Martin said:
snip What do you call a collection of spiders? A 'shriek' in this house! -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
#10
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-05-29 22:55:34 +0100, Martin said: snip What do you call a collection of spiders? I've no idea, nor can I find out thus far. I'll keep looking. How about a scuttle of spiders or an army of arachnids? Eeeek! Spider |
#11
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
On 2009-05-30 18:48:59 +0100, "Spider" said:
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-05-29 22:55:34 +0100, Martin said: snip What do you call a collection of spiders? I've no idea, nor can I find out thus far. I'll keep looking. How about a scuttle of spiders or an army of arachnids? Eeeek! Spider Geroff! You know you love them. ;-)) -- -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials South Devon |
#12
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
On May 29, 10:55*pm, Martin wrote:
On Fri, 29 May 2009 22:40:53 +0100, "Spider" wrote: "Martin" wrote in message .. . On Fri, 29 May 2009 22:33:27 +0100, "Spider" wrote: "Martin" wrote in message ... On Fri, 29 May 2009 20:05:15 +0100, "Spider" wrote: Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. *This has *brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. *So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? A cloud. -- Martin Mmm ... I wondered lonely as a butterfly ... * No. That won't do; there were oodles of them. Somebody once said "I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, ...." Indeed. Wasn't that a certain Spider? What do you call a collection of spiders? In this house, a 'splat' (unless I get there first and remove them) |
#13
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
In message , Martin
writes What do you call a collection of spiders? A gross. -- Gordon H Remove "invalid" to reply |
#14
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
On May 29, 10:55*pm, Martin wrote:
On Fri, 29 May 2009 22:40:53 +0100, "Spider" wrote: "Martin" wrote in message .. . On Fri, 29 May 2009 22:33:27 +0100, "Spider" wrote: "Martin" wrote in message ... On Fri, 29 May 2009 20:05:15 +0100, "Spider" wrote: Whilst pruning my pyracantha hedge these past few days, I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, mainly Painted Ladies, plus many bees and hoverflies. *This has *brought up a query amongst my neighbours, which I have been unable to answer. *So, please, does anyone know what is the collective noun for butterflies? A cloud. -- Martin Mmm ... I wondered lonely as a butterfly ... * No. That won't do; there were oodles of them. going. Somebody once said "I have been surrounded by clouds of butterflies, ..." Indeed. Wasn't that a certain Spider? What do you call a collection of spiders? -- Martin In this house, time to get the Dyson out, We have loads all making webs on the beams. Fortunately I don't mind them, the spiders I mean, the webs, grrrrrrrrrrhhhhhh. Judith |
#15
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Somewhat OT .. Butterflies
"Judith in France" wrote in message ... (snip snip) What do you call a collection of spiders? -- Martin In this house, time to get the Dyson out, We have loads all making webs on the beams. Fortunately I don't mind them, the spiders I mean, the webs, grrrrrrrrrrhhhhhh. Judith I think you've probably got Pholcus phalangioides. Lovely spiders ... I can't stand the webs either :~( Spider |
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