Language has a sneaky sense of humor. Say “two crows” and most people picture birds on a wire. Say “two crows being an attempted murder” and suddenly the brain does a double take. That twist blends wildlife, history, and wordplay into one clever phrase. It sounds dark yet playful. It feels old yet modern. Most of all, it sticks.
This article breaks down the real meaning, the historical roots, the science of crows, and why this joke works so well. By the end, you will see how two ordinary birds became a tiny masterpiece of English humor.
Two Crows Being an Attempted Murder — The Joke That Hooks Everyone
The phrase works because it surprises you. Your mind knows “attempted murder” as a legal term. Then the meaning flips. Suddenly the phrase refers to birds. That contrast creates instant humor.
Here’s the logic behind the joke:
- A group of crows is called a murder
- Two crows are not enough for a full “murder”
- Therefore they are an attempted murder
It’s simple. It’s clever. It uses language like a magic trick.
Humans love this type of humor because it rewards quick thinking. You feel smart for getting it. That feeling makes the phrase memorable and shareable.
What Is the Real Term for a Group of Crows
The traditional collective noun for crows is “a murder of crows.” This term dates back hundreds of years. It belongs to a category called terms of venery, which were colorful names for animal groups.
However, scientists do not use dramatic labels. Ornithologists usually say:
- Flock of crows
- Group of crows
Still, the poetic term survived in literature and culture because it sounds powerful.
| Term | Type | Who Uses It |
| Murder of crows | Traditional | Writers, media, folklore |
| Flock of crows | Scientific | Biologists, bird experts |
| Attempted murder | Joke | Internet culture |
The dramatic version wins in everyday speech because people love expressive language.
Where “Murder of Crows” Came From
The phrase likely appeared in the late 1400s. A book called The Book of Saint Albans listed many animal group names used in hunting culture. Nobles enjoyed elaborate vocabulary. Fancy language showed education and status.
Crows already carried a dark reputation at the time. That reputation made “murder” feel fitting.
Possible reasons for the name:
- Crows feed on carrion
- They gather near battlefields
- Their calls sound harsh
- Black feathers symbolize death in many cultures
People connected behavior with symbolism. The result became part of English tradition.
Why Crows Seemed Linked to Death
Crows are scavengers. They clean up dead animals. That behavior helps ecosystems. Medieval people saw it differently. They connected crows with doom.
Several factors strengthened this image:
- Black color linked to mourning
- Loud caws heard at night
- Presence at execution sites historically
- Appearances in myths and omens
Yet science paints a different picture. Crows are not symbols of death. They are ecosystem recyclers. They prevent disease by clearing carcasses.
Fear shaped folklore. Biology tells a calmer story.
Two Crows Being an Attempted Murder — Wordplay Explained
This joke uses a device called semantic double meaning. One phrase has two interpretations.
Murder can mean:
- A crime
- A group of crows
The joke works because your brain shifts between meanings. That shift creates surprise.
Humor theory calls this incongruity resolution. You see something that does not fit. Then you solve the puzzle. Laughter follows.
Other jokes use the same trick:
- A group of programmers is a development
- Two lawyers might be a lawsuit in progress
- A lazy kangaroo might be a pouch potato
Language bends. The brain enjoys the stretch.
How Humor Shapes Language
Internet culture spreads phrases fast. “Two crows being an attempted murder” became popular online because:
- It sounds clever
- It uses dark humor lightly
- It feels educational
- It works as a meme caption
Humor helps words evolve. Phrases once seen as niche can enter mainstream speech within years.
Language is not fixed. It grows through creativity.
Are These Bird Group Names Official
Many collective nouns are traditional not scientific.
| Animal | Traditional Name | Scientific Usage |
| Crows | Murder | Flock |
| Owls | Parliament | Flock |
| Ravens | Unkindness | Flock |
| Starlings | Murmuration | Flock |
Scientists focus on clarity. Poetic names survive because culture keeps them alive.
Crows Are Smarter Than You Think
Crows belong to the corvid family. This group includes ravens and magpies. Corvids rank among the most intelligent birds on Earth.
Proven crow abilities include:
- Tool use
- Human face recognition
- Problem solving
- Memory lasting years
- Social learning
In lab tests, crows bend wires into hooks to grab food. They plan for future needs. That level of cognition rivals primates.
Their intelligence explains why humans gave them powerful symbolic roles.
Case Study — Crow Intelligence in Action
Researchers in Seattle conducted a famous experiment. Scientists wore masks while capturing crows briefly. Years later, wild crows still reacted negatively to those masks. They remembered faces.
That shows:
- Long term memory
- Social communication
- Ability to warn others
These traits make crows feel mysterious. People respect intelligence. They also fear it. That mix fuels dramatic language.
Read More:Farther vs. Further: The Real Difference Most Writers Still Get Wrong
Pop Culture and the Power of “Murder of Crows”
The phrase appears in:
- Gothic novels
- Horror films
- Halloween decorations
- Poetry
It creates atmosphere instantly. Writers use it because the words carry mood.
Two crows being an attempted murder adds humor to that darkness. It softens the tone while keeping the imagery.
Science vs Poetry in Animal Names
Science aims for precision. Poetry aims for feeling.
| Purpose | Style |
| Science | Neutral, clear |
| Folklore | Emotional, symbolic |
Both serve different needs. One informs. One enriches culture.
Funny Collective Nouns That Sound Dramatic
| Animal | Name |
| Crows | Murder |
| Ravens | Unkindness |
| Owls | Parliament |
| Ferrets | Business |
| Sharks | Shiver |
These names show human imagination at work.
Why Humans Personify Animals
People assign traits to animals because storytelling is natural. We project emotions onto wildlife.
Reasons include:
- Teaching moral lessons
- Explaining unknown behavior
- Creating memorable imagery
- Building myths
Crows became symbols because they stood out.
Two Crows Being an Attempted Murder in Online Culture
The phrase spreads because it fits modern humor. Short. Smart. Shareable.
It appears in:
- Social media captions
- T-shirts
- Birdwatching jokes
- Meme pages
It feels both nerdy and funny. That mix drives popularity.
Common Myths About Crows
Myth: Crows predict death
Fact: They respond to food sources
Myth: They are evil
Fact: They are highly social birds
Myth: Seeing them is bad luck
Fact: They adapt well to cities
Understanding replaces superstition.
What Two Crows Being an Attempted Murder Really Represents
This phrase sits at the crossroads of:
- History
- Biology
- Humor
- Language evolution
It shows how words carry stories. A medieval label became modern wordplay. Science explains the birds. Culture keeps the drama.
Two crows on a fence may look ordinary. Add language and suddenly you have a joke that travels the world.
That is the magic of human expression.
Quick Reference Table
| Phrase | Meaning | Type |
| Murder of crows | Group of crows | Traditional |
| Two crows being an attempted murder | Wordplay joke | Modern humor |
| Flock of crows | Scientific term | Biology |
Final Insight
Language thrives on creativity. The phrase two crows being an attempted murder proves that even old folklore can evolve into fresh humor. It teaches history without trying. It mixes science with wit. It turns birds into a brain teaser.
That blend keeps readers curious. Curiosity keeps language alive.
FAQs
What does “two crows being an attempted murder” mean?
It’s a joke based on wordplay. A group of crows is called a murder, so two crows are humorously called an attempted murder. The humor comes from mixing a legal phrase with a traditional bird term.
Is “attempted murder” an official term for crows?
No. Scientists and bird experts use flock of crows. “Attempted murder” belongs to internet humor and casual language, not biology or ornithology.
Why is a group of crows called a murder in the first place?
The term comes from medieval English traditions. People linked crows to death because they scavenged carcasses and appeared on battlefields. Folklore and symbolism shaped the dramatic name.
Are crows actually dangerous or bad omens?
Not at all. Crows play an important ecological role. They clean up waste, control insect populations, and show remarkable intelligence. Superstitions created the “bad omen” image, not science.
Why did this phrase become popular online?
It’s short, clever, and educational. The joke makes people pause, think, and smile. That combination makes it perfect for memes, captions, and social sharing.
Conclusion
Two crows on a branch might look ordinary. Add language, history, and a dash of humor, and suddenly they become an attempted murder. That transformation shows how creative human expression can be.
This phrase blends medieval folklore, modern wordplay, and real bird science into one memorable idea. It reminds us that language evolves through curiosity and humor. Old traditions don’t disappear. They adapt, shift meaning, and find new life online.
