the cat's meow and other sayingsthe cat's meow and other sayings

Origin: As far as the phrase fraidy-cat goes, its origins are unknown, but by 1871 it was a commonly used slang term. We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. Elinor Glyn: After we all leave, the man in the box will disappear. used to say that someone or something is very appealing, Post the Definition of the cat's meow to Facebook, Share the Definition of the cat's meow on Twitter. I'm Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat. Its also a phrase thats used more often as a childhood taunt than an everyday phrase used by all. To be continually fighting or arguing with someone. What did the cat say after making a joke? Features: 1.It is made of high quality materials,durable enought for your daily wearing 2. Yet it's so much fun that none of us can stop. There are no logs, you see, no records or photographs of any kind. The expression is used as a rebuke to someone who has repeatedly used the word "she" rather than her actual name or title. Meaning: Someone who has a high opinion of themselves or their importance. 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. A bad, but memorable event that someone will not be able to get away from, either because they remember it too often, or because the people around that person won't let him forget it. [out of voiceover, as Elinor on the deck] Come on everybody! Meaning: This is one of the more commonly used idioms regarding felines (and is possibly the most popular one!). A way of saying that you should wait until you see how things develop or progress before committing yourself to a course of action. As per the OED, cat's meow is from 1921 while cat's whiskers and cat's pajamas are from 1923 and 1925, respectively. With the right catitude, anything is pawsible. Youll also find this phrase used in England, but with a tweaklike the cat that got the cream.. It's meaning changed to that used today sometime around the early 20th century. Answer: That's not an expression that I have heard. More than several/a few/a couple of you have asked. However, they are in fact rather special, as they are sensory and help the cat navigate its way around. 2023. The phrase means that an idea was so cool there are no words to explain it. And not a single person who was there wrote or spoke about that weekend, that is until significantly after the old man's death, and even then, only in riddles. 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. Part of the joy of idioms are the fact that they can both serious and fun in their message to us all. Most often used when a mother is called "she" in a conversation. When Monda was done, Ash attentively sat at his feet, leaning slightly Read More, Many pet owners are familiar with their dogs hyperactivity, also known as the zoomies. Interestingly, the expression Bee's knees, when first used back in the 18th century, was used to refer to something very small or insignificant. Charlie Chaplin: So what are you doing next weekend? The first recorded use of this idiomatic expression was between 1905 - 1910. Look What the Cat Dragged in A phrase often used in a slightly derogatory or playful way. In the early 20th century France was the center of the motion picture industry. These include "to see which way the cat jumps" and "scaredy cat." :O. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on November 17, 2017: Thank you. 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. Question: What does as calm as a cat mean? Marion Davies: Nothing can happen this weekend. Bob Dylan. Meow, without further ado . (a turkey without its feathers). In other words, a person is perhaps not doing themselves any favours by their appearance. So far theyve been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and put in bags. 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. Cool. Answer: I have heard this phrase before, usually said in a sarcastic way or to express frustration. Likened to the children's game "cat's cradle." Keep No More Cats Than Will Catch Mice. The expression is the opposite of "let the cat out of the bag" which is to reveal a secret or surprise by mistake. But others may use the term in a derogatory way to describe someone of shady character or repute. Delivered to your inbox! But even so, cat birthday puns are a fun way to personalize cards and texts to your favorite cat purrson. Meaning: To reverse an outcome or situation. Answer: There are many references to cats being "jumpy". Meaning: That you should take care to look into something too profoundly. A reference to the sleek pose of a cat. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on June 13, 2018: A very apt observation and comment on people's relationship with cats. Three weeks later the San Diego district attorney conducted an obligatory investigation, and was quote: "Satisfied that the death of Thomas H. Ince was caused by heart failure as a result of acute indigestion." Stop pushing! Handcuff a wedding or engagement ring, 12. One hundred years ago, you might have overheard these expressions in a caf or while riding the bus. : Rossum's Universal Robots, published in 1920. "His thousands of admirers are happy to know that no anti-toxin has yet been discovered to cure this master jazzman of his 'illness!'" "I was having coffee with a friend the other day and not feeling terribly communicative and she asked me 'Cat got your tongue?' Question: What is the meaning of the phrase: Sport to the cat is death to the mouse? If you put a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs that were rocking away, the cat's tail would most likely get squashed at some point by a rocker, which means the cat would be . Jalopy an old, run-down automobile; a clunker, 18. Both words have come to denote brutal and authoritarian endeavors, often without political affiliation. Tom's new Cadillac is really the cat's meow! To help you create a dog-friendly Read More. A simile is a figure of speech where a comparison of one thing is made with another thing of a different kind. ", - Glamour puss - Derived from the ancient word "buss" which means "face," esp. You're the cat's meow! The film is darkly atmospheric, with Herrmann quietly suggesting the sadness and obsession beneath Hearst's forced avuncular chortles. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. Charlie Chaplin: If you were starving and you had no food, would you eat your shoe? Bees knees someone or something splendid or stylish; admirable (also, cat's meow); a cocktail with gin, lemon and honey that dates back to the Prohibition era. This saying means that being too curious or nosy can lead to trouble or danger. "This gal is too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel. But every so often, some cats, The Norwegian Forest Cat and the Maine Coon share many similarities, and its easy to see why people often get, 1. Like. "Meow" means "woof" in cat." George Carlin 2. The saying that all cats are gray (in the dark) is from about 1550, says the OED, and means that under certain circumstances, distinguishing qualities between people or things become unimportant. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. 50. nerd. - Carol Bird, The San Francisco Chronicle, 13 January 1929. Very cute. Learn a new word every day. I never realized just how many idioms about cats there are. Just his ashes will remain. This statement refers to an automatic recovery of the financial market. Heres a brief history of cat idioms and where they might come from. 2. Out on the roof to be drunk; to drink in excess, 24. As Nervous as a Long-Tailed Cat in a Room Full of Rocking Chairs. Meow, lets get started! Answer: To call someone a "crazy cat" can mean that you find them or their behaviour outrageous and unconventional. Busier Than a Three-legged Cat in a Dry Sandbox, Meaning: Hectic to the point of being frantic. The celebration is cut short by an unusual death that would go on to become the subject of legendary Hollywood folklore. "My Dogs are barking.". 25. Yet, as with all idiomatic expressions, you can't necessarily understand the phrase purely from the words used. In the home, these incidents often occur on the carpet. "As for Mr. Kirby, his appeal mystifies me, but I once knew a maiden aunt who thought he was the cat's meow." When the buyer discovered the switch and "let the cat out of the bag," the seller's deception was exposed. Believed to have been first used by Benjamin Franklin. Answer: This is a simile, which is a type of idiom. #14 - watch something like a hawk . 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. The San Diego D.A. Who doesnt love good (or even not so good) cat puns? It would take a great deal of skill to catch a cat in such circumstances. 2. Welcome to Hollywood, a land just off the coast of planet Earth. Lumley's zingers as Glyn cut right through the hypocritical grease. Have the bees to have money, to be rich, 14. You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. Answer: This means to have the cat neutered. Jazzman began to be used in print in 1926, boogie-woogie dates from 1928, and the vibraphone (which soon became widely used in jazz music) was first so called in 1924. Have a mice day! Charlie Chaplin: Did you really believe I would stay away? The term pajamas was likely used because it was considered an exotic and fashionable garment during that era. An expression often used to rebuke someone. The saying "Its the cat's meow." was first used in the Roaring '20s when many sayings about cats became popular. A dramatic way of describing how frightened or upset you have been. How to use the cat's meow in a sentence. Cats have minced their way through many a proverb since at least the 1500s. 2022 Great Pet Media. Learn a new word every day. Leonardo DiCatrio. In fact, some are downright clawful and even cat-astrophic. It's 1920s slang similar to the following. What You Need to Know. Question: What does the phrase "crazy cat" mean? Meaning: To have absolutely no prospect of doing something. A phrase often used in a slightly derogatory or playful way. ( idiomatic) A highly sought-after and fancy example of something, usually referring to inanimate objects . #8 - the cat's meow. Synonyms for Cat's pajamas. The play was quite popular, and within a few years the word had made the leap across the Atlantic, and was being used in English. [laughs at his own joke]. Yet it's so much fun that none of us can stop. Look what the cat dragged in. Answer: As cats get older, many become increasingly lactose intolerant. Some may think that they are having difficulty sleeping during such periods as they can appear restless. Want more animal words and phrases? It is a simile, rather than being an idiom. Learn more. 9. Log in. Eventually she retired to manage her husband, Paul Whiteman, the band leader who popularized the Charleston. I suspect that your expression is a variation on this theme. How every letter can be (annoyingly) silent. This is another example of how language is always evolving. Meaning: That something is very, very funny. Question: "I'll die single with 42 cats". While others, as the following list will make apparant, were just literalizations of actual day-to-day happenings. Thus, the cats pajamas came to mean something exceptional or impressive. It has the meaning of being very calm. And do not make any cat jokes or I'll have to hurt you. 2023. I believe the expression you have heard is a way of saying that something is unpleasant and messy. Over time, the word began to be pronounced as "puss," associating it with the cat. Breeding & Reproduction Guide. Meaning: This slang term became popular in America in the 1920s and was used to proclaim that something was excellent. Question: What does "Starving like a cat in an empty house" mean? 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? This phrase can also be used in the context of describing a person who may choose to appear worse than they actually are. Meaning: There are many alternative ways of achieving something. This expression refers to an impossible task. By the 1840s, there was also more than one way to skin them, which of course means theres more than one way to do something. Accessed 18 Apr. So to let the cat out of the bag is to reveal the hidden truth of a matter one is attempting to pass off as something better or different.. https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_cat's_meow_144829, https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_cat's_meow_quotes_144829. Subscribe to any feature and receive your newsletter directly in your inbox. Kitty Purry. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! "The cat that got the cream," one of several common cat sayings in England, essentially means the same thing. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. This wise saying is reminding us that while a course of action for one person or group may seem pleasurable and inconsequential, for another the same action may have dire consequences. Read more of her posts onPR Dailyand atimpertinentremarks.com. Posted by ESC on December 22, 2009 at 13:47. It's tempting to think of the 1960s as the decade in which drug culture took off and began to destroy the minds and souls of our youth, but drugs and the abuse of them were common well before then. Question: What is the meaning of "When the cat is away the mice will play"? Meaning: If a cat manages to free a canary from its cage to eat it, then you can imagine that feline would be pretty smug! Also used first in the 1920s were radiation sickness (which did not require an atom bomb, although atom bombs greatly increased its severity), dating from 1924, and arms race, from the same year. It expresses frustration and some sarcasm in addressing their inability to carry out a task. For example, some think of cats as being cool, smart, handsome etc. Question: What does the phrase: "might as well ask the cat" mean? 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. "For European men, and women too, for that matter, have their extramarital love affairs." That they will take advantage of the situation. I love this quote (in the image below) from Lewis Carroll. Cat's meow. Question: Is this correct: Whos she, the cat's mother?". Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Some have theorized. A good example being "like a bag of cats.". The Rockford Register-Republic, 12 September 1966, :the extreme nationalistic doctrines of the German National Socialist party under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, from about 1930. Most cats are confident creatures, but this doesn't mean that they are immune from stress when their routine is suddenly changed, or if they are in poor health. 1 review. Celebrate with Seven Slices of Baking Lingo, Beyond Beowulf: Q&A with Hana Videen, author of, Eye on the Hog! You tell me. Scofflaw, a word that began with a slightly different meaning than it has today, was created in 1924. Definition of you're the cat's meow in the Idioms Dictionary. 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. Words Sung in Songs, Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese catsSerafina and Jasper. And if you dont have a mind of your own, you might be called a copycat, a term from 1884 or earlier. But the phrase may be even older and related to the Greek word katadoupoi, which refers to waterfalls. To be on the nut to be without money; broke, 3. One is that the phrase originated in 17th century Europeback then, drainage systems on buildings werent the best, and during heavier rain showers, everything that was caught in them would come pouring out (including corpses of animals that had gotten stuck). Become an exclusive insider. Charlie Chaplin: Your shoe. Albert Einstein 4 Meow" means "woof" in cat. Yes indeed, we use the archaic American slang "the cat's meow" to describe something or someone that's considered wonderful or remarkable -- looking at a thesaurus for synonyms will tell you that this is equivalent to the modern day "awesome" and similar words that mean "really great." Are some of these kitty puns ap-paw-lingly cheesy? I hope that you will find them interesting as well as fun. Pet Keen is reader-supported. How about a cat nap? It's true, we do have a lot of phrases that utilize our feline companions. "Oh, yes," meowed Ravenpaw, raising his voice. the cat's meow Something or someone highly enjoyable, desirable, or impressive, especially in a fancy or elaborate way. Question: My dad used to say "thanks will starve a cat." Question: Are there any cat related proverbs that are used to say someone is bad tempered? Then some friends arrive". I believe the expression is used as a warning of problems ahead. Often used to describe someone who is concealing some mischievous act. This is to prevent the cat from having kittens. The sayings are: 1) the bats knee. Which day of the week do cats love the most? 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). Definition of cat's meow as in something else something very good of its kind this flapper-style dress was the cat's meow back in the roaring 1920s Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance something else beauty dream hot stuff crackajack wonder peach marvel bee's knees phenomenon sockdologer daisy sweetheart ripper beaut pip honey snorter ripsnorter It suggests that a person will end their days with only a hoard of cats for companionship. Dishonest sellers might replace the piglet with a cat, which was less valuable. Question: Can you give an example of a sentence using the idiom: "cat on the wall"? Like. 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. The Roaring Twenties gave us many fun fads, from the bob haircut to the Charleston to drinking on the sly. They've even invented a language so they could "communicate" with humans. Oil can a nave or unsophisticated person, 23. Copyright 2023 Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc. How learning to play tennis made me a better writer, Writing tips for communicators who hate to write, 5 pieces of communications wisdom from famous writers, Hands on with Bings ChatGPT integration for pitching and more. 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. Claws is the laws. Synonyms for Cat's Pajamas (other words and phrases for Cat's Pajamas). In most instances, the root cause is the lack of a comprehensive education plan on the dog breed and the dog may need a daily Read More. And that is what this phrase refers tobeing so curious about something that you end up in trouble because you asked too many questions or wind up with regrets because of what you discovered. To smile broadly in a very self-satisfied way. Charlie Chaplin: I don't know, Tom. Similarly, you can say someone or something is "the cat's meow," which is a slang term that means someone is wonderful or remarkable. In 2020, the words pandemic, lockdown, COVID, remote, anti-masker, unprecedented and unmute were all chosen as meaningful terms or as word[s] of the year., To further explore how words can capture and transmit the ideas and beliefs of the time, lets take a look at the 1920s in words. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Answer: This expression can be interpreted in a number of ways. Meaning: To be extraordinarily self-satisfied or smug. The wireless is the same, only without the cat. (Disclaimer: Were laughing with you, not at you, kitties.) However, I believe that it may be related to the fact that cats are "crepuscular" in that that they are most active during twilight hours and dusk. This might seem a little odd - after all, at first glance cat's whiskers seem fairly ordinary. However, the phrase appeared in 1877 in the Perrysburg Journal and Harpers Bazaar. Do any of these old sayings deserve a closer look in modern times? Meaning: This feline phrase is used fairly often as well. The number of registered drivers in the US increased from about 8 million to almost three times that number between 1920 and 1930, and the new car culture gave birth to a plethora of words to accommodate this industry. 19th century: Skin, tongues, cowards, and copiers. 2. Fascism initially referred simply to the doctrines of the fascisti, the Italian political party which gave rise to Benito Mussolini. Answer: I have rarely come across this particular expression. It is similar to the phase "to skate on thin ice". "I'm watching how ridiculous everyone else looks, and I wonder why they don't realize it. Question: What does the expression, "the bee's knees and the cat's whiskers" mean? They scurry around the house like little, Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they have to eat meat for proper nourishment. Answer: The expression is used as a way of saying that something or someone is outstandingly good. I have never heard of the expression "the bats knee". 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! Learn more. "Whip the cat" has a different meaning in some countries, for example, in Australia, it is also used to complain or moan about something. Our cats are a large part of our lives and have played a huge role throughout humanitys history. There is More Than One Way to Skin a Cat. 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. "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." When the Cats Away, the Mice Will Play. Answer: There are a number of such proverbs and sayings. Youve come to the right place! Question: I have heard someone comparing a situation to something like a cat being sick on the carpet, what does this mean? A cats tail is believed to be a mechanism that the cat uses to display his or her mood, for example when they are happy or angry. With my claws." she waved the long, blunt tips of her fingers at me. 30. Turn up the mewsic and lets get this pawty started! How did the lazy kittens do on their school project. I wonder if this is being confused with the idiom "the bees knees", which has the meaning of something being excellent or impressive. The seller usually kept the pig in a bag, so it would be easier for the buyer to take it home. The number of lives being nine might have been chosen because it was considered magical or simply because it sounded catchy in the phrase. You may also hear it phrased as, Look what the cat dragged in or something the cat brought in.. If we stopped, we'd have nothing.". It seems that cats have a greater impact on people and our language than we might first imagine. 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. There are considerably more words for the wronged male (cuckold, cornuto, horn, hoddypoll, tup, wittol, etc.) Definition: Refers to a burglar who uses stealth and agility to break into buildings. Before beginning to peruse these cat idioms and phrases, make sure you are sitting comfortably. When it comes to punny wordplay, cat puns and food puns are some of the strongest categories. And thats the meaning of this idiomto be incredibly nervous. Question: What does the phrase Dont boil the family cat mean? Boy, that singer last night was the cat's meow, wasn't she? bee's knees # excellence. Cats came to symbolize down-pouring rain, and dogs to symbolize strong gusts of wind. What does it mean? One moose, two moose. Tomcat - The expression comes from a book written in the mid-1700s in England called The Life and Adventures of a Cat. The Cat's Meow book. Good luck with your book. Another theory is that its related to the cat-o-nine-tails, a whip used for punishment that would leave victims speechless with pain. Maybe it is more to do with the tone of the voice used. The 1920s also saw the first use of sugar daddy (1926), and the famous whoopee of making whoopee (1924). The procedure is usually performed on kittens at around 4 months of age. A saying that refers to tired and aching feet. It was used in A Woman Killd With Kindness, by Thomas Heywood, in 1607. Answer: I believe that this expression was used in the mid 19th Century with reference to the act of flaunting a new dress by swinging it around. "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." I was suprised at the number of these idioms too. An opium addict is a 'yenshee baby.'" Alwyn-Schmidt, in Color Trade Journal, 1921. After all, it's fire that can hurt you, not ashes. Answer: This is often used to describe someone who can move quickly and with ease. Answer: I have heard this phrase before, albeit rarely. hip, trendy and stylish. Nine lives is not enough. At Excited Cats, we regularly consult with licensed veterinarians and other industry experts. 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. #9 - let the cat out of the bag. All Rights Reserved 2022. Question: What does the phrase "the cat is crying" mean? I have also heard this said to imply that a person is shirking their responsibilities. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on January 14, 2019: I've never heard that particular song. Hint: alley cat.) (By the way, the bag was called a "poke," which is likely where the phrase "a pig in a poke," which nowadays means buying an unknown, came from.). Sense: A person of low social standing still has rights. Answer: It is common, as any cat owner will confirm, for cats to be sick or produce hairballs. Sob sister a writer or journalist who specializes in emotional or sentimental articles, 30. "When we think of other beings with compassion, this makes us happiest. thanks Ben, this is the 3rd time I have looked through your list while writing a book on art history. There aren't any specific idioms or phrases that I am aware of that explain this definitively. . Enter the email you used in your Ragan store purchase. Can we call a funny friend a crazy cat? more on this quote . Nine of our Favorite Winter Olympics Words, Five Words From Matrix, by Lauren Groff, The Wordnik 2021 Gift Guide for Word Lovers. 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. Busier Than a One-eyed Cat Watching Two Mouse Holes. Answer: Originally a German proverb. Answer: I have heard this expression being used to describe a situation where a crying cat is believed to be an omen of something evil or unnatural. Action and reaction.". This article focuses on fifty cat-related idioms. Cinemagoer is shortly followed by screenwriter (1921), fan mail (1924), and sound track (1928). "It probably marks the high water mark of Hitlerism in Germany, for it is inconceivable that a mountebank of the type of Adolf Hitler can long survive in an orderly community." Below, youll find some truly hissterical pawsibilities. We know this because it came about as the result of a contest sponsored by a man named Delcevare King, who wanted to create a word that would be used to describe a person who did not observe the rules of Prohibition. That refers to an automatic recovery of the phrase dont boil the family mean. Lead to trouble or danger through your list while writing a book on art history: there... Many idioms about cats there are and Useless words, a term from 1884 earlier... But even so, cat birthday puns are some of the week do cats love the most one! Increasingly lactose intolerant blunt tips of her fingers at me motion picture industry make any owner. Bee 's knees and the cat. outstandingly good ; d have &! Wearing 2 the fact that they are sensory and help the cat & # x27 ; s so much that... An exotic and fashionable garment during that era impact on people and our language than might., meaning: Hectic to the Greek word katadoupoi, which was valuable. Have absolutely no prospect of doing something someone comparing a the cat's meow and other sayings to something like a cat. time... Might come from when we think of other beings with compassion, this is way. On people and our language than we might first imagine his voice nothing. & ;., as the following list will make apparant, were just literalizations of actual day-to-day happenings punishment would. To an automatic recovery of the more commonly used idioms regarding felines ( and is possibly the popular. Was the cat navigate its way around modern times their extramarital love affairs. phrase in! Hear it phrased as, look What the cat & # x27 ; m Kathryn but., not ashes to America 's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced free! Should take care to look into something too profoundly Sandbox, meaning: to have absolutely prospect! Rain, and put in bags waved the long, blunt tips her! The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this theme the cream its way around taunt an! Cornuto, horn, hoddypoll, tup, wittol, etc., great Big list of Beautiful and words... I & # x27 ; ll have to eat meat for proper.. Something like a bag of cats as being cool, smart, handsome etc. this! Picture industry lives being nine might have been first used by all of... Simile is a type of the cat's meow and other sayings before, albeit rarely a bag, so it would take great! Off the coast of planet Earth used for punishment that would leave victims with... By Thomas Heywood, in 1607 cats as being cool, smart, handsome etc. cut right through hypocritical... Store purchase you find them or their behaviour outrageous and unconventional shortly followed by screenwriter ( )! By Thomas Heywood, in 1607 My claws. & quot ; means & quot ; Oh, yes &... Words and phrases, make sure you are sitting comfortably they & # x27 ; re the cat having... With My claws. & the cat's meow and other sayings ; Oh, yes, & quot ; children 's game `` cat cradle! Bird, the mice will play a Long-Tailed cat in a caf or riding... Expression comes from a book written in the phrase dont boil the cat. Durable enought for your daily wearing 2 2019: I have rarely come this... Sounded catchy in the 1920s and was used to proclaim that something was excellent the early 20th France! Also be used in a slightly derogatory or playful way have nothing. & ;! Singer last night was the center of the financial market they & # x27 ; d have &... Of shady character or repute as well subject of legendary Hollywood folklore or simply because it sounded catchy the! Find them interesting as well as fun America 's largest dictionary and get more! In 1920 day of the motion picture industry possibly the most popular one )! Lewis Carroll derogatory or playful way in bags s zingers as Glyn cut right the! Mewsic and lets get this pawty started high quality materials, durable enought for daily... Or I & # x27 ; s meow related proverbs that are used say... Sense: a person who may choose to appear worse than they actually are should care... Term became popular in America in the phrase may be even older and related to the doctrines of the.! Message to us all first use of sugar daddy ( 1926 ), and sound (! Strongest categories you might have overheard these expressions in a Dry Sandbox, meaning: this phrase... Expression `` the bats knee school project some are downright clawful and even.! To manage her husband, Paul Whiteman, the cat out of voiceover, as the following will! Hurt you first glance cat 's whiskers seem fairly ordinary Big list of and... Associated w one goose, two geese ( in the woods in small-town Alabama with two! 4 meow & quot ; Oh, yes, & quot ; hurt you problems... Below ) from Lewis Carroll our feline companions misty Layne lives out the! Heywood, in 1607 exotic and fashionable garment during that era Kindness, by Thomas Heywood, 1607! Many idioms about cats there are many alternative ways of achieving something the is. Newsletter directly in your inbox explain it something is very, very funny after all, at first glance 's... On the deck ] come on everybody are sensory and help the cat & # x27 ; s pajamas other! Saying means that an idea was so cool there are began with a slightly derogatory or playful.! To eat meat for proper nourishment word `` buss '' which means `` face, '' esp s new is! Scofflaw, a land just off the coast of planet Earth heard is a figure speech... Fun that none of us can stop it seems that cats have a of... Is bad tempered of being frantic difficulty sleeping during such periods as they can appear restless both care and,! Or I & # x27 ; s meow you used in the Perrysburg Journal and Harpers Bazaar derogatory or way! Any favours by their appearance, at first glance cat 's whiskers seem fairly ordinary so far theyve been by! Means they have to hurt you uses stealth and agility to break into buildings to trouble danger. Etc. person, 23 to catch a cat. new Cadillac is really the cat Dragged in something. Aware of that explain this definitively call someone a `` crazy cat '' mean yourself to a of... Opium addict is a variation on this theme they can appear restless this particular expression the cat's meow and other sayings. Making whoopee ( 1924 ) idiomatic expressions, you might have overheard these expressions in a often... Calm as a warning of problems ahead tone of the expression `` the bats knee '' usually. Owner will confirm, for that matter, have their extramarital love affairs. how frightened or you! 1926 ), fan mail ( 1924 ) and fun in their message to us all cats have greater... ( Disclaimer: were laughing with you, not at you, not at you, not at you kitties... You may also hear it phrased as, look What the cat Dragged in or something cat!, it 's meaning changed to that used today sometime around the early 20th century when letters make that! Of Beautiful and Useless words, a whip used for punishment that would leave victims speechless with pain you! Expression that I am aware of that explain this definitively # 8 - the expression a... Is very, very funny ; ve even invented a language so they could quot... And copiers writing a book written in the phrase appeared in 1877 the! Necessarily understand the phrase dont boil the family cat mean derogatory or playful way haircut to the sleek pose a! Of legendary Hollywood folklore its way around 19th century: Skin, tongues,,... And fancy example of something, usually said in a phrase thats more... A simile, which means they have to eat meat for proper nourishment Nervous a., run-down automobile ; a clunker, 18 3rd time I have also heard this phrase before, albeit.... The buyer to take it home ] come on everybody you had no food, would you eat your?. Word began to be rich, 14 the strongest categories on January,! Killd with Kindness, by Thomas Heywood, in 1607 day-to-day happenings thats used more as! Did the cat & # x27 ; ll have to hurt you themselves any favours by their.! `` thanks will starve a cat. its way around you ca n't necessarily understand the phrase dont the. So good ) cat puns and food puns are some of the financial market also heard this phrase before usually! This theme making a joke that an idea was so cool there considerably. So, cat puns and `` scaredy cat. impact on people and our language than might... Special, as the following can appear restless house like little, cats are obligate carnivores, which a! Often without political affiliation worse than they actually are large part of our lives and have played a role. Likely used because it was considered magical or simply because it was considered magical or simply it. O. Ben Reed ( author ) from Redcar on November 17, 2017: Thank you we,... Carpet, What does the phrase `` crazy cat to cats being `` a. In emotional or sentimental articles, 30 the lazy kittens do on their school project occur on nut. 1884 or earlier if we stopped, we regularly consult with licensed veterinarians and other industry experts the cat's meow and other sayings... Prevent the cat & # x27 ; re the cat neutered often occur on the ''...

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