Is it correct to say a flock of sheep/deer?

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Tan Elaine

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Is it correct to say a flock of sheep/deer?

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emsr2d2

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In BrE, it's a flock of sheep, not a herd. I have always thought that is odd because "shepherd" comes from "sheep herder".

Flock of sheep.
Herd of cows.
Herd of deer.

There are several possibilities for each animal but most variants of English choose one which the majority if the population uses. If you go to Dictionary.com, then "Style Guide", you can then find a page titled "Animal Groups".
 

Barb_D

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emsr2d2

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A herd of sheep is correct.

I am wondering why you posted that. Your first question asked us if it was correct to say "a flock of sheep/deer". Gillnetter's first reply clearly said "A flock of sheep and a herd of deer". What part of that reply prompted you to put, in bold "A herd of sheep is correct"? I don't know where you took that from.
 

Tan Elaine

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I am wondering why you posted that. Your first question asked us if it was correct to say "a flock of sheep/deer". Gillnetter's first reply clearly said "A flock of sheep and a herd of deer". What part of that reply prompted you to put, in bold "A herd of sheep is correct"? I don't know where you took that from.

Thanks, emrs. I got it from the following.

Definition of herd | Collins English Dictionary
 

emsr2d2

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I see. Had you identified the source in the post, I wouldn't have been so confused!

As I said in my first post, the list on that link shows various possible terms for groups of different animals and I noticed that both "herd" and "flock" were shown for sheep. I would say that the vast majority of BrE speakers would tell you it's flock. Other variants might use a different term.

I still don't think you can beat a "murder of crows".
 

MikeNewYork

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Thanks, emrs. I got it from the following.

Definition of herd | Collins English Dictionary

Elaine, if you search on Google for animal collective nouns, you will find many pages with many entries. Many of the animal types will have more than one name for a collective. Where they all come from is anybody's guess. But for each type of animal there is a preferred name that is used most commonly.
 

MikeNewYork

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I see. Had you identified the source in the post, I wouldn't have been so confused!

As I said in my first post, the list on that link shows various possible terms for groups of different animals and I noticed that both "herd" and "flock" were shown for sheep. I would say that the vast majority of BrE speakers would tell you it's flock. Other variants might use a different term.

I still don't think you can beat a "murder of crows".

That's a good one. Also there is a "mob of meerkats".
 
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Tan Elaine

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I see. Had you identified the source in the post, I wouldn't have been so confused!

As I said in my first post, the list on that link shows various possible terms for groups of different animals and I noticed that both "herd" and "flock" were shown for sheep. I would say that the vast majority of BrE speakers would tell you it's flock. Other variants might use a different term.

I still don't think you can beat a "murder of crows".
I searched for the link only when you asked me where I got it from or else it would be hard to let you know that a group of sheep is a herd (apart from 'flock'). In fact, I learned that a group of sheep is a herd when I was in primary school. We were learning British English. Only recently did I learn that a flock of sheep is also correct. That is the reason for my post.
 
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SoothingDave

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