[DemolitionRed]

I only use 'sheep' as an insult. I believe the human race is made up of a huge amount of followers (sheep if you want to insult them) and a smaller proportion of leaders. Some of those followers aspire to be leaders and this is when we see verbal 'awkwardness'.

I'd say that fence sitters are comfortable followers, because when a battle breaks out between two potential leaders, the fence sitter prefers to look on with interest from a safe distance.

I agree with Niamh when she says 'sheepish' behaviour can be worse . There is a woman at my work who appears to be sweet and caring and somewhat insignificant; she quietly stirs up trouble amongst the ranks before sitting back and watching the battles commence. To me, that's the cowardly behaviour of a sheep.