The English language contains many collective nouns for groups of animals, with terms ranging from the familiar “flock” to the more imaginative “murder.” These specific words often capture a unique characteristic or behavior of the species they describe. The term “clowder” is one such linguistic curiosity that illustrates the practice of assigning distinctive names to animal groups. Understanding this noun helps to shed light on the historical and behavioral observations that influenced the naming of animal groupings.
Defining the Term Clowder
A clowder is the specific collective noun used to refer to a group of domestic cats. This term is generally applied to any grouping of three or more adult cats found together in a single location. While cats are often viewed as solitary hunters, they frequently form groups, especially where resources are readily available, such as in feral colonies or multi-cat households. The formation of a clowder is driven by the need for protection and social bonding, rather than coordinated hunting strategies.
These groupings commonly include a mix of related and unrelated individuals, often centered around a common food source or shelter. The name reflects the visual observation of multiple cats gathering closely, sometimes piled together for warmth or comfort. A clowder is distinct from the term “litter,” which is reserved for a group of kittens born to the same mother.
Other Collective Nouns for Cats
While “clowder” is the most widely accepted term, a group of cats can also be referred to by several other collective nouns. One alternative is a “glaring,” which is sometimes used to describe cats that are unfamiliar with each other or appear mutually suspicious. This name captures the intense, fixed stare cats often employ during confrontations. Another accepted term is a “clutter.”
For groups of kittens, the collective noun is “kindle,” an historically recognized term. Groups of stray or wild cats have also been given the name “destruction,” acknowledging the potential impact a colony can have on local wildlife. These diverse terms illustrate how the names can change based on the animals’ age, behavior, or environment.
Origin of the Name
The word “clowder” has linguistic roots that trace back to older English terms associated with gathering or clustering. Its first recorded use dates back to the late 18th century, appearing between 1795 and 1805. Etymologists suggest that “clowder” evolved as a variant of the now-dialectal word “clodder.”
“Clodder” in Middle English meant a “clotted mass” or something that was coagulated and densely packed. The term also shares a common origin with the word “clutter,” which similarly denotes a crowded collection of things. This etymological connection explains the name’s application, as it describes multiple cats huddling or massing together in a tight group. The name is observational, reflecting the physical appearance of a group of cats clustered into a single mass.