The popular saying “birds of a feather flock together” refers to the tendency for people to associate with others who are similar to themselves. But where did this expression originate and what are its implications? Let’s take a closer look at the history and meaning behind this common idiom.
The Origins
The earliest known version of this phrase can be traced back to a sermon by the 4th century Saint Basil of Caesarea. In referring to how monks were inclined to socialize only with other monks, Saint Basil stated: “Naturally, every man prefers his like, and comes together with those who are of his own fashion.”
In the 16th century, the English scholar and clergyman William Turner wrote in his book Birds: “Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.” This was likely the first known instance of the expression using “birds” specifically.
By the 17th century, the saying evolved into its current form. In his 1678 satirical poem The True-Born Englishman, Daniel Defoe wrote: “Birds of a feather will flock together.” Over the next few centuries, the phrase grew in popularity and became firmly established in the English vernacular.
Meaning and Usage
At its core, “birds of a feather flock together” suggests that people are inclined to seek out and congregate with others who are similar to themselves. Some key implications of the phrase include:
- Similarity attracts. People tend to be drawn to others who share comparable interests, experiences, beliefs, and values.
- Likeminded people validate each other. Spending time with those who are alike provides a sense of affirmation and reinforces one’s own worldview.
- Comfort zones. Associating with similar people allows individuals to stay within their comfort zones. Interacting with those who differ forces people to consider other perspectives.
- Shared activities. Those with common bonds are likely to enjoy and partake in the same activities and pastimes together.
- Relationship formation. Many friendships and romantic partnerships start between people who discover they have a high degree of similarity.
In summary, this idiom argues that human beings have an innate tendency to seek out and bond with people who resemble themselves. It is not suggesting that opposites cannot attract or that diversity is a bad thing. However, similarity appears to be a strong driver of affiliation and group formation in many contexts.
Examples in Culture
As a widely known saying, “birds of a feather flock together” has made its way into many cultural works and artistic expressions. Here are a few interesting examples:
- In the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Jane observes that her wealthy cousins, the Reeds, “disliked my society, and detested my principles.” She then states: “All their class held these principles: I supposed then they would avoid me.” This interaction alludes to the differences between Jane’s personality and family background compared to the upper class Reeds.
- The 1962 pop song “Birds of a Feather” by Paul Evans focuses on a pair of young lovers who have everything in common and can’t bear to be apart. The chorus goes: “Oh, we’re birds of a feather/We’re two of a kind/And we can sing together/Walking side by side.”
- A 1975 episode from the popular television sitcom All in the Family was titled “Birds of a Feather.” In this episode, Archie Bunker tries to befriend a man who turns out to share Archie’s bigoted views on race and ethnicity.
- The 1998 film Bird of Prey stars Harley Jane Kozak as a homicide detective who teams up with a biologist to catch a serial killer. The movie’s title plays off the expression by using “bird” literally to refer to the protagonist.
There are also numerous popular variations of the saying, such as “Birds of a feather flock together until the cat comes” and “The birds of the air will carry the voice.” These twists add flavor or humor while retaining the same essential meaning.
Relevance Today
In contemporary society, many studies and data analytics confirm humans still exhibit tendencies captured in the “birds of a feather” maxim, even if unconsciously. Relevant research and evidence includes:
Field | Research Findings |
---|---|
Social media | 75% of people only follow social media accounts that reflect their existing views. This creates “echo chamber” effects. |
Politics | Citizens overwhelmingly form social connections and vote along partisan lines aligned with their own ideology. |
Online dating | Matching algorithms for dating apps and sites rely heavily on common interests and shared personality traits. |
Housing | Neighborhoods tend to be racially and economically segregated between higher-income and lower-income households. |
Marriage | Spouses frequently share religious, cultural, educational, and political similarities before they even meet. |
However, experts also point out some caveats around how deeply this phrase defines human behavior today:
- People have complex motivations for who they associate with and are often drawn by differences as much as similarities.
- Many other factors like proximity, family ties, and chance still dictate relationships.
- Birds’ flocking is primarily related to survival needs like breeding, feeding, and migration.
- Modern society provides more opportunities for diversity and exposure to different cultures.
- As societal attitudes evolve, in-groups are defining themselves less by ethnicity, religion, or politics.
Therefore, while the general principle of “like attracts like” still applies, the adage may oversimplify the nuances of how people interact and bond in the contemporary world. The metaphor of “flocking birds” should be applied carefully.
Conclusion
The popular idiom “birds of a feather flock together” dates back centuries and carries enduring insights about human affinity. At its core, it conveys people’s tendency to forge social connections with those demonstrating similarity. While not as deterministic today, this principle still exerts influence across many aspects of relationships, networks, and community formation. However, the maxim should be qualified against overgeneralization or overemphasis on conformity. Affiliation is driven by both commonality and complementarity across multiples spheres of life. In short, “opposites attract” and “variety is the spice of life” play just as much a role in friendship, romance, neighborhoods, and society.