John McWhorter at the New York Times:Three things that people often mention to me, as a linguist, leave me wondering whether to just nod politely or disappoint them with the truth. In this space, I feel that I should deal only with the truth, so if I may, prepare for some fun-fact disappointment! Here are those things people share with me with bright eyes. English has a long list of fancy names for groups of animals. Not just the boring old herd of cows, flock of birds and gaggle of geese.