#flatstanley #flathal #birds
This expression has been running through my head a lot recently. Flat Hal and Flat Stanley have seen flocks of birds in flight, hanging out in the water, and relaxing in the sun on our mooring lines, and often there are a LOT of the same type of bird, then out of no where will be one who is not like the others… like a friend who has come over for a playdate.
(With some help from Google’s Gemini AI, always remember AI is the springboard where we start our learning, it’s not the destination.)
First English Usage: The full saying as we know it today, “Birds of a feather flock together,” was first recorded in English in 1545.
The expression is based on the actual behavior of birds. Different species tend to form their own flocks, likely for reasons like safety in numbers and finding food sources together.
Metaphorical Meaning: Over time, the phrase evolved to be used metaphorically to describe human behavior. It suggests that people with similar interests, personalities, or backgrounds tend to associate with each other.
So, while the literal image of birds flocking together is the source, the proverb has become a common way to express the idea that people tend to gravitate towards those who are like them.
Who do you flock with? The theater and drama group? The band and music group? The athletes? The gamers? (Video or table top?) what common interest do you and your friends love to talk about, or simply enjoy doing together?