Many collective nouns, like exhaltation of larks have a long history. Louis james lipton september 19, 1926 march 2, 2020 was an american writer, lyricist, actor, and dean emeritus of the actors studio drama school at pace university in new york city. I cant imagine its unknown, but an exaltation of larks, by james lipton, is a book on collective nouns that i read from often, and i wish more people knew about it. James lipton would go on to become the famous host of televisions inside the actors studio 1994 and parody himself hilariously in arrested development 20042019. He had an army of researchers in all countries where english is spoken.
Generations of word lovers have been turned on by james liptons an exaltation of larks. James lipton, writer, producer and host of the actors studio authored an exaltation of larks, a celebration of language. An illustrated look at terms of venery, or collective nouns reprint. If you want to delve deeper into the world of collective nouns, check out james liptons book an exaltation of larks. A book on collective nouns that i read from often, and i wish more people knew about it. James lipton was the creator, executive producer, writer, and host of inside the actors studio, which has been seen in eightynine million homes in america and in 125 countries and has received fourteen emmy nominations. Here are a few from liptons book that you should add to your repertoire. An exaltation of larks the ultimate edition by james lipton isbn. Collective nounsbusiness of ferrets,,from james liptons exaltation of larks fun with collective nouns. Since that publication, creating collective nouns has become a game for many of a lexicographical bent, hence the venereal game. Some have achieved widespread currency and acceptance, like a flight of stairs, a board of trustees, and a school of fish. Part 1, collective nouns commonly known and still regularly used, part 2, collective nouns known by welleducated people, but occasionally used, part 3, collective nouns now.
Inside inside by james lipton book inside the actors studio helen hunt. A book for reference, but you will find yourself dipping. A delightfully unexpected, lovingly curated ode to the unique collective nouns that adorn our. While the individual prints are wonderful, a compendium of collective nouns, there is also a childrens picture book version called a zeal of zebras, allows logan and faulkners original concept complimented perfectly by minalimas stunning artwork to be fully realised. His 1968 book an exaltation of larks, a humorous examination of odd and endearing names for collective nouns, is considered a minor classic and has never gone out of print. Some collective nouns are specific to one kind of thing, especially terms of venery, which identify groups of. Obscure collective nouns for a worship of writers write. The book of saint albans compiled in 1486, lists 165 of such collective nouns. Many were codified in books of courtesy, like the 1486 classic book of st. Lupita nyongo, the new york times james lipton has performed all speakers of english a great service. List of english terms of venery, by animal wikipedia. He is the author of the novel mirrors, which he then adapted and produced for the screen. Far more than i knew which stops at the books of courtesy. He was the executive producer, writer, and host of the bravo cable television series inside the actors studio, which debuted in 1994.
About an exaltation of larks a delightfully unexpected, lovingly curated ode to the unique collective nouns that adorn our language, from a leap of leopards to a murder of crows and beyond, from the inimitable voice behind inside the actors studio. Albans for example, contained a list of 164 collective nouns, titled the compaynys of beestys and fowlys. A recent 2018 split of the plain wren cantorchilus modestus into three separate species make way for new collective nouns. He is also the author of the american literary perennial an exaltation of larks. He was the author of the novel mirrors, which he then adapted and produced for the screen, and of the american literary perennial an exaltation of larks, and has written. James lipton, scholarly host of inside the actors studio. Lupita nyongo had a guilty pleasure on the set of 12. A flock of nouns of multitude language glossophilia.
An exaltation of larks possesses an embarrassment of riches wink wink. Index itself is a laughworthy list of nouns that might need a collective moniker, from aardvarks through lawnmowers to yuppies. He also wrote a book on language, an exaltation of larks, which examined obscure collective nouns a murmuration of starlings, a rag of colts, a skulk of. All those items that are specifically mentioned in the book of saint albans should remain in list of english terms of venery, by animal, while all other items should be moved to a separate article relating to collective nouns in english. The book of saint albans, originally printed in 1486, was a collection of advice and information on hawking, hunting, and heraldry. Lipton, of course, gives us the best book of collective nouns, with a great history behind them. This book is so much fun, one is almost tempted to forgive james lipton for. Most collective nouns in everyday speech are not specific to one kind of thing, such as the word group, which can be applied to people a group of people or dogs a group of dogs or other things. The collective nouns are all in capital letters, like a dray of squirrels and a. Throughout his illustrious career, lipton had a wide variety of roles in the entertainment business, including stints as an actor, scriptwriter, producer, author and more. Grossman publishers, 1968 english language 118 pages.
The book details the provenance of more than 1,100 nouns of venery, as they are were called in the 15th century, including a pride of lions, a smack of jellyfish, an ostentation of peacocks, and many more. I dont even remember how this book ended up on my toread list, i just know its been on there for a while. His 1968 book an exaltation of larks, a humorous examination of odd and endearing names for. The importance, if any, of this book is that it is very difficult to find a dictionary or similar work which enlists such terms in it. It is fun to read, has beautiful color illustrations, and would make a great coffee table book. Most collective nouns, or terms of venery, were coined during the 15th century. What this article should be called is up for discussion. Lipton encourages the reader to join a game, coming up with new collective nouns. Types of nouns, definition and examples english grammar here. James lipton has performed all speakers of english a great service. An exaltation of larks is part reference book, part game book, part english nerd jokery.
Its about collective nouns, both ones that can trace their origins back to the 15th century, and new ones that im convinced lipton made up. James lipton is the creator, executive producer, writer, and host of inside the actors studio, which is seen in 89 million homes in america on the bravo network, and in 125 countries, and has received 14 emmy nominations. Fans of collective nouns are familiar with an exaltation of larks, which was the title of a book by james lipton on collective nouns. Inside inside by james lipton nook book ebook barnes. An exaltation of larks by james lipton, published by penguin books. Brits and tagged bevy of beauties, collective nouns, common noun, inside the actors studio, james lipton, noun, nouns of multitude, parliament of owls, pride of lions on november 28, 2012 by louise. Lipton wrote the lyrics for the 1967 broadway musical sherry. Lipton has categorized all the collective nouns into six families. The following year, he published an exaltation of larks, a playful linguistics book about collective nouns. Lipton spent many years researching for some of the very archaic collective nouns. Well, this book will tell you, and do it with wonderful illustrations to boot. A troop is a group of monkeys ipad an interactive book teaching the collective nouns for animals.
James lipton was a titan of the film and entertainment. A delightfully unexpected, lovingly curated ode to the unique collective nouns that adorn our language, from a. Hanging a poster that contains a list of over 100 of collective animal nouns like a sleuth of bears, a shiver of sharks, a murder of crows, and a drift of pigs, will help you become an expert in the field. An exaltation of larks by james lipton librarything. A delightfully unexpected, lovingly curated ode to the unique collective nouns that adorn our language, from a leap of leopards to a murder of crows and beyond, from the inimitable voice behind inside the actors studioi am madly in love with collective nouns. James lipton has divided an exaltation of larks, or, the venereal game into four parts. However, a handful of obscure phrases have made a comeback, thanks to james liptons wonderful compendium of collective nouns, an exaltation of larks. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. The collective nouns in much of liptons book come mainly from hunting terms terms of venery, many originating in the 1486 book of st albans and similar contemporary works that lipton documents. A mischief of mice a keg of bowlers a book of mormons ha.
Not to mention a load of diapers or a twaddle of public speakers. And then theres the most telling collective noun of all. If there were an english academy, he would surely deserve election. Lupita nyongo, the new york times for those who have wondered if the familiar pride of lions and gaggle of geese were merely the tip of a linguistic iceberg, james lipton has provided a definitive answer. The groups that tickled my fancy the most were the medical professions a joint of osteopaths and music a pound of pianists, a bridge of lyricists. James lipton is an exaltation of collective nouns zinzin. The book details the provenance of more than 1,100 nouns of venery, as they are were called in the 15th century, including a pride of lions, a. James lipton picks your best collective nouns wnyc. In linguistics, a collective noun is a collection of things taken as a whole.
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