English uses specialized collective nouns for groups of animals. These collective nouns, or nouns of assembly, offer a more precise picture of the animals’ behavior or environment than simple descriptions like “group.” For the domesticated animal Ovis aries (sheep), the proper collective name varies depending on the context.
The Most Common Collective Names
The most recognized and universally accepted name for a group of sheep is a flock. This term is widely used in farming contexts across the globe to describe any collection of sheep. The use of “flock” reflects the animals’ innate social structure, known as flocking behavior, where they instinctively move and gather together for safety and social cohesion.
Another common term is a herd of sheep, which is often used interchangeably with flock, though it is sometimes reserved for larger gatherings. In agricultural settings, herd may apply to sheep managed on large, unfenced pastures, similar to its use for cattle. However, flock remains the preferred and more traditional collective noun in modern English usage.
Group Names Based on Location or Activity
More precise collective nouns describe sheep based on their immediate action or location. When a group of sheep is being actively moved by a shepherd or driven from one pasture to another, the term drove is sometimes used. This emphasizes the action of being driven forward to a destination, often implying a larger number of animals in transit.
When sheep are gathered into an enclosure, such as a pen or temporary holding area, the group can be referred to as a fold. This term relates to the historical practice of “folding” sheep, which meant enclosing them overnight for protection from predators and for management.
A less common term is a drift, which describes a group of sheep moving slowly and seemingly aimlessly across a landscape. The term mob is also used in some regions, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to refer to a large gathering of sheep being moved by a farmhand.
The Linguistic Origin of Collective Nouns
The existence of specific collective nouns is a result of historical linguistic development in English. Many of these specialized terms trace their origins to the medieval period, specifically the 15th century. This was when a tradition known as “Terms of Venery” was formalized, largely within the culture of the aristocracy and hunting.
These terms were often codified in early printed texts, such as the Book of St. Albans from 1486, which featured extensive lists of proper nouns for different animal groupings. While whimsical terms, like a “murder” of crows, were playful literary inventions, the names for domesticated animals were rooted in practical farming terminology. Terms like flock and drove offered a concise and specific language necessary for the management of livestock.