a gam is a collection of which creature?

Answer 1

A gam of whales.

Answer 2

A gam of whales. didnt know that always thought it was a school. learn something new everyday

Answer 3

Must be a very old reference. I can only find it on one online dictionary and nothing on the etymology sites so far.
Aha! finally found it in my antique Webster's ... still searching for origin. If I find it I'll let you know.
Good go, Muzzy! :-D

ADDITIONAL:
It's origin: an old New England Nautical (Whaling) term. Though I can't find evidence of which came first -- the ref. to the whale or the ref. to human gatherings.

http://continuouswave.com/glossary.html

GAM -- A heard or school of whales; a social meeting, visit, or the like, as between vessels at sea; [Nautical] (of the officers and crews of two whaling vessels) to visit or converse with one another for social purposes.

and

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gam

gam (2) (gam), n., v., gammed, gam·ming.–n.
1. a herd or school of whales. 2. Eastern New England, Nautical. a social meeting, visit, or the like, as between whaling vessels at sea. –v.i.
3. (of whales) to assemble into a herd or school. 4. Nautical (of the officers and crews of two whaling vessels) to visit or converse with one another for social purposes. 5. Eastern New Eng. to participate in a gam or social visit. [1840–50, Amer.; perh. dial. var. of GAME1] (Random House Webster's Unabridged).

Answer 4

Of whales.

Answer 5

whales