[SORRY, but the polling software has been mistreated somehow and until I have time to investigate, no longer functions. – Richard Treadgold, May 2019]
For communicating here, we have principally the English language, which I’ve discovered includes no collective noun for icebergs — so here’s our big chance to give something back to the language that means so much to us all!
This discovery arose from a post about icebergs from Antarctica reaching New Zealand.
Choose from the list below the word you think best describes icebergs together and give it your vote. Before long, we’ll send our most popular suggestion to a dictionary editor — the most expensive we can find.
If you have another creative suggestion for a suitable collective noun for icebergs, tell us and we’ll include it in the poll! Just write a comment, below.
Thank you. Lexicologists around the world salute you!
Views: 1712
Hi,
Your name for a group of icebergs, I think, could be a ¨melt¨ of icebergs. After all,they start to melt as soon as they break off the ice shelves.
What do you think?
Regards.
G.S. Williams
Your reasoning is strictly practical but your word is euphonious so it’s in the list! Thank you.
Personally, I’m in love with iceberg grandeur — the immensity, the deep colours, the spectacular forms — and your suggestion describes their destruction rather than their glorious being. But then “melt” has a certain attraction, too. It seems to merge with the iceberg as the iceberg merges with the sea. It titles the inevitable sad fate of one of the grandest creations of the landscape.
Icebergs are a product of an iceshelf; they are the offspring; call them a “Litter”. Also their largeness together could be called a “Fleet”.
Nice!
A Floatilla seems to fit,the climate scientwists should know after the money they have frittered on false lights.
According to my wife, who is a chief reporter and knowledgeable in such matters, the collective noun for a group of icebergs is a pack.
If I could choose I would favour the word ‘armada’; I think that has the majesty required by a large group of floating ice castles. 🙂
Flotilla or armada would be my picks. Armada is grand, but implies malevolence. Which I guess may be valid given their hazardous effect on shipping.
What about a pod of icebergs. Icebergs are often associated with whales and pod indicates large size
a flock of icebergs seems acceptable, though they are not animated….
a camp of icebergs, like a tent camp or an igloo camp, is suggestive.
My favourite is Jim’s litter !
Pingback: » Canapes in Cambridge Nancy Campbell
An “obstacle” of icebergs.
I know, I’m a couple of years too late!
Dear CCG,
I feel a ‘Medley of Icebergs’ would be an apt definition. The medley implies – assortment, mixture, blend, variety, assemblage, mass and the like. Terms that define the varied shapes, sizes and kinds of icebergs.
Please accept this humble suggestion along with the others forwarded in this respect.
Sincerely,
Amar Agarwala
I think Amar has a point. And, perhaps a term. A medley indeed invokes the concept of a disorganised grouping which incorporates all the various evolutions of a prototype. I vote for medley.
Medley is good. A long time ago I voted for thunder. When I’ve got a moment I’ll add medley to the list of options for voting.
Hey Mike & Richard,
I know I am late in replying… but better late than never. I thank you for the small agreement on the ‘term’ suggested by me.
Best!
Hi all,
Yes very late I know . The question came up this week whilst cruising on Ocean Diamond around the coast of Greenland. My suggestion of flotilla – no access to internet the time. Someone suggested a TITANIC of icebergs -ok only one but has a certain irony.
Just seen this, so had a bit of a play. There’s one in here that I think could catch on. I wonder if anyone agrees. 🥶
A tray of icebergs
A rebellion of icebergs
A displacement of icebergs
A crack of icebergs
A block of icebergs
A clutter of icebergs
A dilution of icebergs
A division of icebergs
A shoal of icebergs
A diaspora of icebergs
A majesty of icebergs
A shiver of icebergs
A shudder of icebergs
A bobble of icebergs
A bobbling of icebergs
A conflation of icebergs
A collusion of icebergs
An exodus of icebergs
A leaving of icebergs
A departure of icebergs
A floe of icebergs
A tip of icebergs
A shyness of icebergs
A concealment of icebergs
A crush of icebergs
An archipelago of icebergs
A voyage of icebergs
A duvet of icebergs
A shipping of icebergs
A consignment of icebergs
A skate of icebergs
A diffusion of icebergs
A skating of icebergs
A slither of icebergs
A mutiny of icebergs
An audacity of icebergs
A cruise of icebergs
An escape of icebergs
An infraction of icebergs
An excursion of icebergs
An impertinence of icebergs
An empire of icebergs
An immersion of icebergs
An emergency of icebergs
An embarcation of icebergs
A meander of icebergs
An intimidation of icebergs
An exaggeration of icebergs
Wondrous effort, John, thank you.
You provide a cracking concatenation of conceptions that collectively constitute a splendour of superlative designations. But I raise my eyebrows at “shyness” and “duvet”.
Looking towards the near future I believe the collective
name should reflect the gravity of the developing
situation. I suggest: America, Armaghedon, Calamity, Catastrophe, Curse,
Disaster, Diabolical, Embarrassment, End Game,
Game Changer, Human, Idiot, Jerk, Killer, Loopy, Murder,
You get the Drift, my best effort would be Fratricide.
Ah, now Bill, you do realise we’re talking here about icebergs? Wondering about a good name for them? You seem to have wandered off the reservation somewhat. Not quite sure where you’re coming from, I’m afraid.
A yerldel, seems like a fun word to say