Collective nouns can be fascinating. There’s an intriguing poetry about many of them. These words seem to describe their corresponding animal parties not just in meaning, but with their very sound, and the collective noun for goats is no different!
A good friend of mine once asked me, “What is a herd of goats called?” (long pause)… I looked over at him and smiled… and he smiled back at me. Eventually we googled it and found the answer.
So, what is a group of goats called? Well, there are a few common names for a group of goats, but the official name, and by far the most interesting, is a trip.
Most people assume it will be something akin to words used to describe groups of similar farm animals such as sheep, which of course, would be a flock.
Another common guess is drove; however, as stated by the U.S. Geological Survey, trip is the proper term. So, if you keep goats on your farm or land, or are perhaps thinking of incorporating them in your homesteading venture, now you know how to refer to them like a seasoned animal expert.
But this is only scratching the surface of our lexical inquiry;
should you want the whole story on what a group of goats is called, read on!
Why Is A Group Of Goats Called A Trip?
The etymology of “trip” as a collective noun for goats is believed to come from the Middle Dutch word trippen that means to skip or hop.
If you’ve ever watched goats frolicking or climbing, you’ll understand why this word is a fantastic fit.
Goats are born mobile; they take their first breaths and first steps at the same time. There simply is no ambulatory fledgling period (so to speak), and it’s not long before those tentative first steps turn into leaps and bounds.
It’s not unheard of for a goat to trippen up to 12 feet in a single leap — that’s nothing to scoff at! Their gravity-defying abilities have developed gradually via evolution, and in the wild, it’s an essential feat that helps them find food, avoid predators, and navigate challenging terrain.
Goats also like to hop and skip whilst playing and socializing with one another, especially juveniles, which is another reason why trip is a perfect collective noun for a party of goats!
Is A Trip The Only Official Word For A Group Of Goats?
Trip is by far the most exotic-sounding of the collective nouns for goats, but I’d be telling fibs if I said it was the only official one.
This should come as no surprise, as there are often multiple words for individual groups of animals — language is a network of synonyms after all!
The U.S. Geological Survey also lists tribe as a universally accepted collective noun for a group of goats.
This is also a fantastic word, one that implies closeness, and seeing as goats love one another’s company and are very loyal creatures, it’s a definite fit.
Having said that, tribe doesn’t refer to a group of goats exclusively; it’s also one of the collective nouns used to refer to a group of baboons, although these red-rumped primates may also go by a congress, flange, or troop.
Trip, on the other hand, belongs entirely to our goat friends — hooray!
Are There Any Unofficial Words For A Group Of Goats?
There is indeed a third name for a group of goats. It’s not so much of an official name as it is a word that has been used so commonly that it has been widely accepted by the English-speaking populace of the world.
This third and final collective noun for a group of goats is (drumroll please)… a herd.
Not quite as interesting as the other two, is it? It’s nowhere near as specific as the aforementioned nouns either, as a herd can refer to a group of sheep, deer, cows, buffalo, seals, whales, and even elephants.
This collective noun largely stems from the typical proximity of goats to sheep on farms.
But it’s this very proximity that could make it a confusing term to use, as with both groups of animals in relatively close quarters, you could be referring to either one of them.
What Is A Group Of Baby Goats Called?
As I’m sure you’re aware, baby and full-grown animals often have different names. For example, baby cats are called kittens, dogs are puppies, rabbits are kits, and so on.
This can also coincide with a shift in collective noun, and for the animal of the hour, goats, this is indeed the case. A baby goat is known as a kid, and a group of them is called a litter (whether they’re related or not).
Frequently Asked Questions About What Is A Herd Of Goats Called
Got time for a quick FAQ session? Fantastic; let’s dive right in!
Can “Drove” Describe A Group Of Goats?
The collective noun drove is most commonly applied to cattle, although sheep and pigs may also be tarred with the same linguistic brush. Do goats fall under this umbrella noun, too?
Nope, goats do not technically fall into this category. If you were referring to a group of goats and a group of goats only, then drove does not fit the bill.
If, however, you were referring to a mix of different farm animals all moving together, then drove may well be the most applicable collective noun.
With drove officially belonging to three groups of farmyard animals, over time, it has become more of a general term you can use to refer to a mixture of common farmyard animals. Strictly speaking, though, drove is incorrect terminology for a group of goats.
Who Comes Up With Collective Nouns?
This is a great question with a disappointing answer. The truth is, no one really comes up with these words; they just sort of evolve out of the need for a word, utilizing what we already have words for as a basis.
In many ways, the creation of collective nouns is more closely related to an Edward Lear nonsense poem than it is to any bureaucratic, official process.
Here is quick and informative video confirming “trip” as the collective noun for goats!
Final Thoughts On What Is A Group Of Goats Called
As we’ve discussed, you have three choices when it comes to describing a group of goats. Trip (my favorite) comes from the middle Dutch word trippen, tribe is another official option, and herd is also acceptable due to its prevalence in modern culture.