A Business of Ferrets

[fuzzyoctopus]

"A Business of Ferrets"

Now first of all, is this actually the correct collective noun for group of ferrets?

Second of all, it's by Beth Hilgartner, who as far as I knew had only written two books: Colors in the "Dreamweaver's Loom" and "Feast of the Trickster".  This is apparently not true, which makes me happy.  So while I was browsing half.com I saw this and the title made me buy it. (Half.com?  I don't have a problem. I can stop anytime.  Anytime I want.  Really.)

Colors in the Dreamweaver's Loom is really one of the best YA fantasy books I ever read.  It's great.  I picked up a copy of that too, of course, 'cause it's out of print.  This one is also fantasy.  Anyone read it?

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I'm sorry, I'm having trouble not picturing a swarm of tube rats dressed as accountants with pencils over their ears and busy tapping away at keyboards or calculators.

[Master Xaio]

Or in lab coats....

[42]

[steve erwine accent]
I guess a "Business of Ferrets" could be used. Ferrets are solitary, but loosely social animals. Well they hunt by themselves but aren't above cooperating with other ferrets to take down larger prayer. Actually, most muselids (badgers, wolverines, mongooses) are solitary, so I guess the author can call a group of them whatever he or she wants.

Incidentally, I discovered that ferrets and weasels are usually used as mounts by brownies. How degrading, but I guess that is good since ferrets like to steal things. So ferrets and brownies together could be in the baby stealing business.
[/steve erwin accent]

[EUOL]

Because, you know, one ferret can't pray on his own....

[Master Xaio]

But one ferret in a lab coat or suit....

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

actually, no, no lab coats. That does not evoke "business"

and if they're stealing babies, does that mean they serve a higher Dingo overlord?

[EUOL]

Which would explain why they have to get into groups to pray to him.

[Mad Dr Jeffe]

what would you call a bunch of weasles?

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

get ready for it!

a car dealership

(alternatively:)

a law firm

YAY!

[Mad Dr Jeffe]

i was hoping for congress

[fuzzyoctopus]

So the book came today, and since I have the day off, I've been reading it.

Pretty good so far.  The only real problem is the one I have with all fantasy novels centered around political intrigue: having two dozen fantasy names to keep straight.

That's why I find it interesting that the protagonists, who are thieves, beggars, etc. all have handy names like Ferret, Owl, Mouse, Kitten, and Donkey.

I think I'll keep this in mind.

[fuzzyoctopus]

also interesting.

http://rinkworks.com/words/collective.shtml

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/help/faq/animals/names.htm