{"id":3151,"date":"2022-05-03T18:07:25","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T18:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=3151"},"modified":"2022-05-03T18:07:25","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T18:07:25","slug":"birds-of-a-feather-flock-together-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/birds-of-a-feather-flock-together-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds of a Feather Flock Together \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to describe a gathering of like-minded people? If so, you could use the saying \u201cbirds of a feather flock together<\/em>.\u201d This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The meaning of \u201cbirds of a feather flock together<\/em>\u201d refers to a group of people who share similar interests, beliefs, and ideologies. Community is a big part of the human experience, and we all want people to listen to our ideas and thoughts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We also like being around people who have a similar outlook on life or worldview. The phrase \u201cbirds of a feather flock together<\/em>\u201d can describe an event, like a seminar, where people will meet to discuss a certain topic they find interesting.<\/p>\n

The saying also suits situations where you see a large group of people talking with each other in a friendly manner.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cI went to that seminar on Saturday and learned so much. Everyone was on the same page, and we all had the same mindset. Birds of a feather flock together, and I\u2019m glad I found a group that thinks like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBirds of a feather flock together; look at all those homeless people in that park.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not surprising that you found a bunch of people just like you at that meeting. Birds of a feather flock together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is it that people who surf only hang around with other surfers? It\u2019s like they all speak a different language or something. I guess birds of a feather flock together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat protest just gains more momentum with each day. Birds of a feather flock together. Let\u2019s hope they\u2019re not a violent bunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBirds of a feather flock together. Look at all those kids gathering around the Nike shop for the latest release. I bet they are all sneakerheads looking to flip the shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The origin of the expression \"birds of a feather flock together\" comes from \"The Dictionarie in Spanish and English,\" published by the English lexicographer John Minsheu in 1599.<\/p>\n

\"Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.\"<\/p>\n

The expression also features in the 1856 translation of Plato's Republic by Benjamin Jowett.<\/p>\n

\"Men of my age flock together; we are birds of a feather, as the old proverb says.\"<\/p>\n

Around the time of its appearance, people would refer to birds as \"flying\" rather than \"flocking\" together. So, the phrase also adopted this spelling, where it appears in the translation of Livy's \"Romane Historie,\" published in 160o.<\/p>\n

\"As commonly birds of a feather will flye together.\"<\/p>\n