Origin: As far as the phrase fraidy-cat goes, its origins are unknown, but by 1871 it was a commonly used slang term. . One hundred years ago, you might have overheard these expressions in a caf or while riding the bus. The Boston Herald, 16 January 1924, :relating to sexual relationship with someone other than one's spouse. The cat photos are a nice touch. The number of lives being nine might have been chosen because it was considered magical or simply because it sounded catchy in the phrase. The phrase herding cats trying to control something unwieldy is from the mid-1980s. W. R. Hearst: You can be whoever you like. To bell the cat, meaning to take on a perilous task on behalf of a group, may come from a late 14th century fable about mice belling a cat, says the Online Etymology Dictionary. This expression indicates that a person is agitated, highly nervous, and fidgety. #14 - watch something like a hawk . A collection of words turning 100 this decade. Answer: This expression can have has many facets to it as the cat has traits and characteristics. Answer: The expression: "the cats meow" is an idiom. For example: "I asked Simon to tidy his room again, but I have might as well of asked the cat, I might have had more chance of it being tidied.". Welcome to Hollywood, a land just off the coast of planet Earth. This expression refers to something overly complicated. Oddly enough, the term for this bomb predates the making of the bomb itself (the first one was exploded in 1945). Meow, without further ado . Currently, I believe that the expression is used in relation to the unique look of a hairless cat and is a way of saying that something or someone has an unusual look, probably not conforming to the normal accepted standards or rules. And now you know the meanings and origins of many of the most often used kitty idioms, so you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge the next time they use one of these phrases! Charlie Chaplin: Your shoe. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. A way of describing someone as fragile or feeble. Never underestimate the power of words to communicate culture and define the spirit of the age. With my claws." she waved the long, blunt tips of her fingers at me. Cats have fascinated humans for centuries, and its no surprise that they have found their way into our language in the form of idioms and sayings. It seems that cats have a greater impact on people and our language than we might first imagine. Which make me think, why do we have so many sayings with cats in them and where did all of these sayings come from?". Breeding & Reproduction Guide. This saying means that cats are very resilient and have the ability to survive difficult situations. While the Cats Away, the Mice Will Play. He did however re-cast her role in "The Gold Rush" and re-shoot all of her scenes. The film takes place aboard publisher William Randolph Hearst's yacht on a weekend cruise celebrating Ince's 44th birthday on November 16, 1924. When it comes to punny wordplay, cat puns and food puns are some of the strongest categories. The Rockford Register-Gazette, 25 January 1927. 19th century: Skin, tongues, cowards, and copiers. Sir Isaac Mewton. "Oh, yes," meowed Ravenpaw, raising his voice. Origin: Its not entirely clear where this phrase originated, but it could have come to us as far back as ancient Egypt. Paw McCartney. Soon after Tom's death, Margaret Livingston's salary inexplicably jumped from three hundred to one thousand dollars a week. Marion Davies: Nothing can happen this weekend. :). The cat's meow. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20cat%27s%20meow. But honestly, no one knows for sure! Let our authors & experts know what you think. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on November 26, 2017: Thank you. Over time, the word "care" evolved into "curiosity. Meaning: A way of saying someone has created an upset or a disturbance. Meaning: To reverse an outcome or situation. They create an evocative image that helps us describe a situation we are discussing. A derogatory term describes a person who has acted dishonorably to achieve wealth. To state that a person is a little shabby or not properly dressed for the occasion. Answer: An interesting expression. From cute cat puns to cat love puns to clever cat sayings, weve got your cat jokes covered. This statement refers to an automatic recovery of the financial market. A morphine addict is called a 'hophead' or 'junkhead.' Despite costing a small fortune the picture was a smashing success. Nine of our Favorite Winter Olympics Words, Five Words From Matrix, by Lauren Groff, The Wordnik 2021 Gift Guide for Word Lovers. George Carlin 4 Two Windclan apprentices were wandering toward them. Notorious C.A.T. It lasted two years. This is to prevent the cat from having kittens. "Addicts are nicknamed according to the kind of drug they use. This idiom references a person who copies or imitates the actions of another. The origins of phrases and sayings; . The other possible origin is the fact that cold turkey is a dish that is quick and easy to prepare. 1. Learn a new word every day. A phrase used when referring to someone who has very little to say for themselves. Here care means worry or sorrow, says The Phrase Finder, so the proverb seems to mean that worry or sorrow would kill even a creature with nine lives in other words, a cat. 38. Perhaps they sought to attribute some part of their seemingly magical nature to those parts of the world that, while not necessarily mysterious, are puzzling and enough to make one scratch one's head. To be continually fighting or arguing with someone. # informal bee's knees # excellence dream n. # pleasure , beauty jim-dandy adj. Out of the wealth of idioms in the English language, youll find many that involve cats. We love all cat puns, but these are especially cat-tastic. Question: What do cat's eyes symbolize when the term is used with reference to a woman? "When we think of other beings with compassion, this makes us happiest. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. Charlie Chaplin: [Looking at the note] Yeah, but I didn't get Thomas Ince's blood on it! However, the information found on Excited Cats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. "So there is no use of fighting a situation which has become an institution and for which there is no remedy excepting that of blowing up Paris by an atom bomb as forecasted by H. G. Wells some years ago." Answer: This is correct. "This gal is too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel. I hope that you will find them interesting as well as fun. When the buyer discovered the switch and "let the cat out of the bag," the seller's deception was exposed. A reference to the sleek pose of a cat. (Find grumpy cat. [pause, Hawaiian guitars play "Aloha Oe"]. To be on the nut to be without money; broke 3. A game played with a string wound around the fingers to create intricate patterns. The cat's meow. To say that something is ironic or very funny. Are you smitten with kitten puns? W. R. Hearst: Oh, and why does that surprise you, Tom? Keep calm and purr on. However, I believe this has a literal meaning in that a cat in an empty house would have no access to food, without which it would eventually become very hungry and starve. Visit him at "The Cat's Meow" where you can view the archives or ask him your own question which he will answer in a future column! Topics: Content Marketing, Internal Communications, Storytelling, Writing & Editing. These include "to see which way the cat jumps" and "scaredy cat." Do you know this usage? There are considerably more words for the wronged male (cuckold, cornuto, horn, hoddypoll, tup, wittol, etc.) Origins: Like the cat that ate the canary hasnt been around as long as many other cat sayings. A good example being "like a bag of cats.". The screenplay by Steven Peros is based on his play of the same title, which was inspired by the mysterious death of film mogul Thomas H. Ince that occurred on William Randolph Hearst's boat with Charles Chaplin on board. I believe that your expression means that you own a cat (or issue) and that you will now have to indulge it repercussions or demands. Over time, the word began to be pronounced as "puss," associating it with the cat. Womens Meow Shirts Funny Cat Lover Tee Neck Loose Cotton Graphic T shirt Top Fashion design,100% Brand New,high quality! The phrase means that an idea was so cool there are no words to explain it. Put them together and what do you get? 2 likes. Answer: This expression has the meaning: That people left without supervision will do or act as they please. Theres More Than One Way to Skin a Cat, 10. How to use the cat's meow in a sentence. "I'm watching how ridiculous everyone else looks, and I wonder why they don't realize it. "His thousands of admirers are happy to know that no anti-toxin has yet been discovered to cure this master jazzman of his 'illness!'" One moose, two moose. 2) the cats meow. Out on the roof to be drunk; to drink in excess, 24. It's said that these severed body parts were given to the king's pet cats as their daily food, a rather gruesome feast to be sure. Answer: This means to have the cat neutered. Who doesnt love good (or even not so good) cat puns? When we consider how to help others avoid suffering and give them contentment, we, ourselves, are the first to benefit.". 2022 Great Pet Media. It means that someone, or something is highly impressive or enjoyable. Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? One goose, two geese. "American producers and directors, not content with flooding this country with Hollywood-made tripe, and now to descend on Britain - complete with Grables, Sinatras and child monstrosities - to make films in this country with a 'box-office' appeal to American cinemagoers." Bimbo a brutish, unintelligent man; a bully 4. Origin: This idiom was coined by American journalist and cartoonist Thomas Dorgan, who also invented several other phrases and superlatives. Look What the Cat Dragged in A phrase often used in a slightly derogatory or playful way. While the OEDs earliest citation is from 1911, The Phrase Finders is from 1859. # informal "I was having coffee with a friend the other day and not feeling terribly communicative and she asked me 'Cat got your tongue?' When your feline friend has a punny name, you get to giggle every day. Enjoy These Funny Cat Sayings With Photos! Meaning: That a person is extremely busy almost frantic. Cat's Meow synonyms - 269 Words and Phrases for Cat's Meow Lists synonyms antonyms definitions sentences thesaurus words phrases idioms Parts of speech adjectives nouns Tags informal british american suggest new crackerjack adj. Meaning: To be extraordinarily self-satisfied or smug. If you put a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs that were rocking away, the cats tail would most likely get squashed at some point by a rocker, which means the cat would be pretty nervous. He did not examine the body because Ince had been cremated immediately, and except for Dr. Goodman, no member of the boating party was ever questioned, including Hearst. Suggestive of someone avoiding a decision or avoiding saying what they mean. Look what the cat dragged in. "If a cat spoke, it would say things like 'Hey, I don't see the problem here." Roy Blount Jr. 3. However, the phrase might also only date to 19th century England and the United States, when the phrase was used on children who had gotten in trouble and wouldnt answer questions. Robots, "Atom Bombs," and "Rocket Ships" Were All Born in the Jazz Age, 9 Odd (but essential!) Its one of our favorite days of the year: National Cat Day! In severe cases, cats will become dehydrated and quite ill. - Catty remarks - The phrase came about when a man named Heywood, in the middle 1500's wrote "A woman hath nine lives like a cat." Fascism initially referred simply to the doctrines of the fascisti, the Italian political party which gave rise to Benito Mussolini. Meaning: To suggest that you have said something you didn't intend to say. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Maybe it is more to do with the tone of the voice used. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. Meaning: to sleep or doze for a short time. In fact, some are downright clawful and even cat-astrophic. The 1920s also saw the first use of sugar daddy (1926), and the famous whoopee of making whoopee (1924). Cat's out of the bag! - L.W. cat's meow # excellence. The former first saw use in English in 1925, and was simply then the word used to describe the nationalistic tenets of the German National Socialist party. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! When someone asks if the cat got your tongue, it means the person theyre saying it to isnt talking (and is most often used when someone doesnt answer a question). Question: What does the idiom: "to catch a cat in the dark" mean? Answer: This expression is is used to say that something or someone is better or smarter than they first appear or look. Meaning: To describe something very expensive or valuable. - The Rockford Republic, 22 September 1930, :a contemptuous lawbreaker;especially:one who ignores parking tickets. Answer: There are a number of such proverbs and sayings. By 1871, a timid person might be called a fraidy-cat, perhaps from the pusss practice of leaping and scattering when startled. Elinor Glyn: Like others with tiny bullets hidden in their skulls, Thomas Ince held on unconscious for 2 days before dying in his own bed. Reminiscent of the 17th-century phrase not enough room to swing a cat is the more macabre cant swing a dead cat without hitting something there are too many of. As to why, it's anyone's guess, but a probably explanation is that people have always been fascinated by the majesty and mystery of cats. The 1920s also saw the birth of gas station (1925), license plate (1924), and driver's license (1926). 10. Now youre on the trolly to understand or catch on, 22. "As for Mr. Kirby, his appeal mystifies me, but I once knew a maiden aunt who thought he was the cat's meow." Beggars never feed stray cats as street cats are self-sustaining. There are no logs, you see, no records or photographs of any kind. Humans are still better than bots at writing. Both words have come to denote brutal and authoritarian endeavors, often without political affiliation. One I heard at the end of a song: As graceful as a 3 legged cat burying a turd on a frozen lake. Cat's meow. Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cat%27s%20meow. While we love seeing a unique garden with a variety of plants, some can be very dangerous for our canines. Is this an idiom? 8 Reasons for This Behavior. It expresses frustration and some sarcasm in addressing their inability to carry out a task. What does it mean? You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. However there was no coverage in the press, no police action, and of the fourteen passengers on board only one was ever questioned by authorities. Answer: There are many references to cats being "jumpy". At Excited Cats, we regularly consult with licensed veterinarians and other industry experts. nerd. The Cat's Meow is a 2001 period drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, and starring Kirsten Dunst, Eddie Izzard, Edward Herrmann, Cary Elwes, Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Tilly. Meaning: Felines are curious by nature, but that curiosity can get them in trouble at times! That minimal human rights apply. Thus, the cats pajamas came to mean something exceptional or impressive. Answer: To call someone a "crazy cat" can mean that you find them or their behaviour outrageous and unconventional. Presumably referencing the fact that the ice is so thin that it would not even support the weight of a cat. Also used to refer to someone who has turned traitor. Read more of her posts onPR Dailyand atimpertinentremarks.com. fox's socks . Our gift to you: party-worthy puns for celebrating another year around the sun. While the Cats Away, the Mice Will Play, Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? Learn more. Atom bomb began to be used in the early 1920s. https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_cat's_meow_144829, https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_cat's_meow_quotes_144829. - Curiosity killed the cat - The saying originally was "care kills a cat," and began in the 16th century. Owning a Munchkin cat is like owning a ferret and a cat simultaneously. Most often used when a mother is called "she" in a conversation. Delivered to your inbox! Looking for cat pun jokes? I agree with Lewis Carroll, it doesn't matter what words you use when speaking to the cat, the cat will purr. Meaning: The meaning of this one is fairly explanatory. - The cat's out of the bag - In medieval England, piglets were sold in the open marketplace. The seller usually kept the pig in a bag, so it would be easier for the buyer to take it home. All kitten aside, cat puns are the best puns. Meaning: To toy with or amuse oneself with something. Cats have an incredible ability to mesmerize and confound. Heres a brief history of cat idioms and where they might come from. To smile broadly in a very self-satisfied way. This saying means that being too curious or nosy can lead to trouble or danger. That they will take advantage of the situation. It seems the first instance of it being used to describe someone was in 1911 in the Milwaukee Journal as a description of a political figure. Then I see that in fact, I too look like a fool. The word motel (formed by blending the words motor and hotel) dates from 1925, as drivers began to take enough long trips to necessitate having places for them to sleep near the roads they were travelling on. Lumley's zingers as Glyn cut right through the hypocritical grease. Search our database of over 13360 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. See also: be the cat's meow meow In any event, in 1925 we get a nice gender-neutral word, extramarital, which can be used without fear of impugning either sex. "All is cause and effect. An non-excellent cat phrase from 1928 is to look or feel like something the cat dragged in. As Charlie predicted, she triumphed. Fitzgerald did not in fact coin this expression (it had been in use for several years before his book was published), but the 1920s was a decade rich in words to describe the music of jazz. Mouthpiece a lawyer, especially a criminal lawyer, 21. Answer: This has the meaning that a person is being spiteful, or deliberately hurtful in their words or actions. Origin: The phrase appears to have originated in 1953 in a syndicated column in a newspaper that stated, Next to living on the side of a volcano, the most hazardous existence we can think of is that of a long-tailed cat in a house full of rocking chairs. And in 1956, Tennessee Ernie Ford used the phrase, He was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs, making it popular throughout the Southern states. It is a simile, rather than being an idiom. 50. To have no chance at all. Bees knees someone or something splendid or stylish; admirable (also, cats meow); a cocktail with gin, lemon and honey that dates back to the Prohibition era. [pans to everyone dancing on the deck of the Oneida to the Charleston] But I'm watching how ridiculous everyone else looks, and I wonder why they don't realize it. 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