Ann.without.an.e Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 (edited) In one of DD's poems she wants to twist the meaning of something but the reader must know that a group of crows can be called a murder in order to get it. She is nervous to assume this understanding. It will be a brilliant use if the reader understands her reference but it will flop if they do not. This will be submitted to a contest, so the readers should be well versed in literature? I would hope? Do you think that most people will know what she is referencing? Edited December 5, 2018 by Attolia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 3 minutes ago, Attolia said: In one of DD's poems she wants to twist the meaning of something but the reader must know that a group of crows can be called a murder in order to get it. She is nervous to assume this understanding. It will be a brilliant use if the reader understands her reference but it will flop if they do not. This will be submitted to a contest, so the readers should be well versed in literature? I would hope? Do you think that most people will know what she is referencing? Yes I do think they will know. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I've heard it. (One of those Caedfel books?) but it isn't the first thing that comes to mind, no. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I would make the connection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmsurbat1 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I know that phrase. I think anybody who is a likes-to-read sort of person would be familiar enough with it to understand the illusion, even if they couldn't come up with that phrase independently. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes, I think people will get it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjffkj Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 yes, I've heard it. Whether most people know what it means, I have no idea. I would imagine well read and educated people would know. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes, I know it. I think many people will but I could wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes. One of my three dc did (now they all do.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displace Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 We’re aware of the phrase. I think it depends on the age of the audience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 older people probably will. I knew it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Do it. Trust the reader! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 (edited) Yes. If she is about to write something brilliant, who cares if people don't get it! We can all be happy that there are those who teach us something new. She should never be afraid to write as she is inspired to write. Edited December 5, 2018 by Chris in VA 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 It’s pretty well known. I have seen lots of allusions to it as well as lists that have other names for other groups of animals as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes, I think it should be known by the general population. I think it is one of the more common ones for people to know/remember because it is unique sounding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes, I've heard it and I've seen this on FB https://memebase.cheezburger.com/puns/tag/murder-of-crows No, I wouldn't say most people in the US would get it because most people in the US aren't well read. You need to know your audience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes. It’s the standard, commonly accepted classification, no different than a herd of cows or a gaggle of geese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I know it, DD knows it. Also... 😂 http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/35hla2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I think it'll be familiar. Hopefully, we can all read the poem when she's ready to share. Good luck to your DD! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wathe Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes. Murder of crows, parliament of owls, opera of canaries. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I have and I do know this, but I think it’s assuming a lot to think the “average” regular person knows this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I also know it. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 The person who posted the "attempted murder" pic on FB had several FB asking to for an explanation, posting ? marks, and things like "huh" and "I don't get it." I went to high school with some of them. At my high school the majority of students were from other states. That's why I say don't assume it's generally known. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I thought that was common knowledge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I know it and so do my kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor_dad Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I know it, my kids know it, most english speakers in my urban neighborhood know it since we have a 5000+ bird mega-murder that over-winters here. I think most well read people will be familiar enough with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Any decently educated adult will know this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Yes. I would get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Sure, it's pretty common usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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