[PW] Collection of "zebras"

[TED NESBITT]

I am trying to track down the ORIGIN for one of the collective terms for zebras, a "crossing of zebras."

They are also found in "herds" and "zeals," but I don't need those.

James Lipton doesn't mention zebras in his "Exaltation of Larks."  I have exhausted our phrase and slang dictionaries.

The Oxford English Dictionary mentions a "zebra crossing." [1951 and other dates]  The OED credits a 1949 reference to "full-scale trials of the striped (zebra) markings for pedestrian crossings."

I suppose that someone decided, too cutely, to make up the collective term, "crossing of zebras," after the pedestrian crossings became known as "zebras."

Does anyone have a better idea?

Thanks.  

Ted Nesbitt
Library Instruction
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West Liberty State College
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