Exactly who decided that a group of ferrets is a business? Indeed, how did the weasel become a verb? Can a ferret business also ferret prairie dogs from burrows?

That self-important group of Europeans and Englishmen who began coining terms to identify groupings of individuals from a particular animal species might have been pleased that the “terms of venary” chosen by them centuries ago are still in use today.

Did their personal biases affect the manner by which some species are judged? Certainly, these long-ago “namers” were unaware of the attributes of the species which interested them. In fact, what if the terms of venary were reversed?

Witnessing an exaltation of crows might be a more relevant descriptor for a species with superior intellect, perhaps even exalted intelligence? Sadly, a murder of larks could tarnish the image of the little bird forever. How about a flutter of bats and a cauldron of hummingbirds? Would folks build fancy bat houses while simultaneously maligning the diminutive hummingbird, writing mean poems about them?

Of course, some terms of venary simply cannot be reassigned. Could there be another candidate for a prickle of porcupines, a bloat of hippos or a tower of giraffes?

Some species have endured disrespect for decades despite occupying a noble and indispensable role in the Animal Kingdom. Groups of sharks, those spectacular apex predators, are reduced to a mere shiver. And while more appropriately named, an ambush of tigers fails to capture the grandeur of such a majestic feline species.

In the 14^th and 15^th centuries, English gentlemen were judged by the extent of terms of venary they were able to present. These colorful descriptions of selective traits give clues about which species were admired and which were unappreciated at that time in history. Descriptors like conspiracy (lemurs), ostentation (peacocks), unkind (ravens), or a maelstrom (salamanders) could not have been helpful in fostering affection and esteem for those species.

Some terms of venary are simply a reflection of a species’ behavior like a gulp of cormorants, a scold of jays and a romp of otters.

Perhaps upon your next visit to Evergreen Lake, keep an eye out for gulps, flutters, charms, parliaments, knots and convocations (cormorants, butterflies, hummingbirds, owls, toads and eagles). Of course, it is hard to escape the ubiquitous migraine (children).

In his 1965 book, “Lexicon of the Mediaeval German Hunt: A Lexicon of Middle High German,” author David Darby stated that this language is “artificial, cultivated and self-conscious.”

If terms of venary are artificial, we are within our rights to create our own terms. Perhaps a smudge of toddlers, drool of ice cream cones, zoom of computer screens, or a scorn of politicians could be added to the list.

Name your own terms of venary. The cleek of opportunities is endless.