Answer: This is an expression that I have heard before, although quite rarely. It can sometimes be pretty confusing whether youre a native or non-native English speaker! Claim your rewards from the Reader Perks section. We love all cat puns, but these are especially cat-tastic. Search our database of over 13360 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. A phrase often used in the financial markets. What You Need to Know. Meaning: To reverse an outcome or situation. Keep No More Cats Than Will Catch Mice. Meaning: To toy with or amuse oneself with something. Charlie Chaplin: Did you really believe I would stay away? The first mention of these was in 1925, as people began to speculate about whether sending people and things in ships powered by rockets was on the horizon. Learn more. Often used to describe someone who is concealing some mischievous act. "My Dogs are barking.". 2) the cats meow. 10. "we are cat-sitting for a week. Yet it's so much fun that none of us can stop. Tom's new Cadillac is really the cat's meow! - L.W. Yet it's so much fun that none of us can stop. The Cat's Meow book. David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Power of Meow. Common Dog Sayings. # informal A few minutes later, she observed that it was 'raining cats and dogs' outside. In any event, in 1925 we get a nice gender-neutral word, extramarital, which can be used without fear of impugning either sex. decided that the Los Angeles office continue the investigation, they politely declined. We do our best to help you better understand your cats, but the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Paw McCartney. Consider these meow-worthy monikers. Cat's out of the bag! Care killed the cat is from around the same time. Accessed 18 Apr. Hotsy totsy comfortable; stable or secure, 15. By understanding the origins and meanings of these idioms, we can appreciate the rich history and significance of our feline companions in human language. In those days, crime could be punished by the removal of a persons tongue (that was then fed to a cat). Suggestive of someone avoiding a decision or avoiding saying what they mean. Atom bomb began to be used in the early 1920s. Post more words for cat's meow to Facebook, Share more words for cat's meow on Twitter. Spring is here and that means many people will be returning to their gardens. Essentially, dont go poking your nose into things that dont concern you! Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on June 20, 2018: Thank you for your comment. I wonder if this is being confused with the idiom "the bees knees", which has the meaning of something being excellent or impressive. It would take a great deal of skill to catch a cat in such circumstances. Despite costing a small fortune the picture was a smashing success. Meaning: A way of saying someone has created an upset or a disturbance. W. R. Hearst: God, they taste awful. Most often used when a mother is called "she" in a conversation. She retired in 1937, but stayed by Hearst's side until his death at the age of 88. The expression is the opposite of "let the cat out of the bag" which is to reveal a secret or surprise by mistake. Question: What does "Starving like a cat in an empty house" mean? - Rockford Republic, 14 September 1928, :a machine in the form of a human being that performs the mechanical functions of a human being but lacks emotions and sensitivity. Meaning: Someone who has a high opinion of themselves or their importance. Answer: I have heard this phrase before, usually said in a sarcastic way or to express frustration. Heres why. By the end of the decade robotic (1928) had also been adopted. Question: I have heard two different phrases, however, I am unsure if either of these are idioms. Question: I have heard the expression: "That cat has a long tail". Charlie Chaplin: [Looking at the note] Yeah, but I didn't get Thomas Ince's blood on it! Weve rounded up ten of the most common cat idioms and sayings to explain just that! Question: I have heard someone say "as agile as a cat." Meaning: People left unsupervised will do/act as they please. Meaning: To have absolutely no prospect of doing something. 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. Cinemagoer is shortly followed by screenwriter (1921), fan mail (1924), and sound track (1928). Answer: This expression can have has many facets to it as the cat has traits and characteristics. 2. There is a curious discrepancy in the English language between the number of words to describe a man who has an unfaithful wife and the number to describe a wife so afflicted. Get all the latest articles, funny photos, and amazing pet-related offers weekly right in your inbox. 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? apek's play is a bleak look at a society populated with mechanical workers, the titular robots which have been created from synthetic matter. All kitten aside, cat puns are the best puns. "Many inventors and engineers believed it could be done; photographs of 'rocket ships' of varying designs were broadcast and reputable magazines carried articles and drawings explaining just how the feat could be accomplished." Believed to originate from the fable of a mouse who has the idea of hanging a bell around a cat's neck to warn them of its approach. Let our authors & experts know what you think. The term woolgathering is sometimes used to describe someone who engages in idol fancies. 1980s: Herding and more swinging cowboys herding cats The phrase herding cats trying to control something unwieldy is from the mid-1980s. This would be considered an impolite way of addressing a person and can often result in the above rebuke be uttered in response. 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. Meaning: You, or another person, are very pleased with yourself and what you have accomplished. Read reviews from world's largest community for readers. Enter the email you used in your Ragan store purchase. Just his ashes will remain. When we consider how to help others avoid suffering and give them contentment, we, ourselves, are the first to benefit.". H G Wells was apparently the first to use phrase atomic bomb; he did so in 1914, well before atoms were being split. sell with us - copy - copy - copy - copy - copy. : Rossum's Universal Robots, published in 1920. I'm Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat. Out on the roof to be drunk; to drink in excess, 24. Suggest that she get a room at the 'Y. Elinor Glyn: [voiceover] To this day no two accounts of that weekend cruise are the same, including who, in fact, who was on the boat. We all know that a cat believes that it is in charge and rules the roost. Meow, without further ado . Over time, the word "care" evolved into "curiosity. Question: What is the meaning of the saying: of cats? Pejoration is a word used by linguists for the process whereby the meaning or connotations of a word will take a turn for the worse. Let the Cat Out of the Bag Another popular cat phrase, this refers to revealing a secret without intending to whoops. Little evidence exists now or existed at the time to support any version of those weekend events. Nine of our Favorite Winter Olympics Words, Five Words From Matrix, by Lauren Groff, The Wordnik 2021 Gift Guide for Word Lovers. - The Rockford Republic, 22 September 1930, :a contemptuous lawbreaker;especially:one who ignores parking tickets. Over time, the word began to be pronounced as "puss," associating it with the cat. Question: What does it mean when saying: "get the cat doctored"? Fascism initially referred simply to the doctrines of the fascisti, the Italian political party which gave rise to Benito Mussolini. Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? Thomas Ince: Anyhow, failure is a character builder, right Charlie? Both words have come to denote brutal and authoritarian endeavors, often without political affiliation. Often used to describe a person attempting to manage a large team of individuals who are uncooperative. 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! After all, it's fire that can hurt you, not ashes. If we stopped, we'd have nothing. Are you able to confirm which is correct? Would you eat it? Saying "very naughty kitty", in a cutsie voice will still have the cat purring. The seller usually kept the pig in a bag, so it would be easier for the buyer to take it home. So, lets take a look at 10 cat idioms and sayings, along with their origins and meanings. Cat pun names are the gifts that keep on giving. We have all seen the exaggerated jumpy movements a cat is capable of when pouncing on something or when it is taken by surprise, and it is this behaviour that gives rise to these particular idioms and phrases. Meaning: To describe something very expensive or valuable. The 1920s also saw the birth of gas station (1925), license plate (1924), and driver's license (1926). Featured Image Credit: islam zarat, Shutterstock, How Do Cats Show Affection? Believed to have been first used by Benjamin Franklin. Likened to the children's game "cat's cradle." Charlie Chaplin: Your shoe. 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. The bee's knees (1921) and the cat's meow (1926) both first saw use in this decade, as did the cat's pajamas (1922). The cat's meow. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20cat%27s%20meow. If you live a tiny space, you could say theres not enough room to swing a cat, which is from about 1665, again according to the OED. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on January 14, 2019: I've never heard that particular song. Also in this decade are the first recorded uses of junkie (1923) as well as reefer (1927) and its synonym, Mary Jane (1928). "That experience will dog him forever.". Large slang for $1,000 (10 large would be $10,000), 20. Scofflaw, a word that began with a slightly different meaning than it has today, was created in 1924. What does you're the cat's meow expression mean? All Rights Reserved 2022. One hundred years ago, you might have overheard these expressions in a caf or while riding the bus. This saying means that cats are very resilient and have the ability to survive difficult situations. 2022 Great Pet Media. One moose, two moose. Answer: As cats get older, many become increasingly lactose intolerant. Meaning: That a person is extremely busy almost frantic. This should not be taken as evidence of any lack of moral turpitude on the part of the female of the species. ", - Glamour puss - Derived from the ancient word "buss" which means "face," esp. I am familiar with the expression "to see which way the cat jumps" which means to wait and see what happens or transpires. Meaning: The meaning of this one is fairly explanatory. See also: be the cat's meow meow 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." Cats came to symbolize down-pouring rain, and dogs to symbolize strong gusts of wind. How every letter can be (annoyingly) silent. As Charlie predicted, she triumphed. A phrase often used in a slightly derogatory or playful way. hip, trendy and stylish. Often used to describe someone who is concealing some mischievous act. To help you create a dog-friendly Read More. Bimbo a brutish, unintelligent man; a bully, 11. In addition to being a decade of flappers (a word which actually began being used in the 1880s) and mah jongg (a trademarked name that was first used in the 1920s), the 1920s were full of playful expressions, many of which have survived to this day. Learn a new word every day. To save this word, you'll need to log in. W. R. Hearst: Oh, and why does that surprise you, Tom? 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. Origin: The origin of this phrase is unclear, but there are some theories. 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. Busier Than a One-eyed Cat Watching Two Mouse Holes. n. # excellence. Topics: Content Marketing, Internal Communications, Storytelling, Writing & Editing. Posted by ESC on December 22, 2009 at 13:47. Related phrases include the cats pajamas, bees knees, and canarys tusks. The cat's meow. 2. "The cat that got the cream," one of several common cat sayings in England, essentially means the same thing. The other possible origin is the fact that cold turkey is a dish that is quick and easy to prepare. Youre probably familiar with some of these phrases (Cat got your tongue?), but have you ever wondered where these phrases came from and what they mean? . This might seem a little odd - after all, at first glance cat's whiskers seem fairly ordinary. I suspect that this expression is one that being newly developed and may well become embedded in our language alongside other idioms and phrases over time. Cat's pajamas a term of endearment 5. The Rockford Register-Gazette, 25 January 1927. Meaning: If you are too polite or careful, you might not achieve what you want. The 1920s also saw the first use of sugar daddy (1926), and the famous whoopee of making whoopee (1924). Twitchers, Megas, and Life Lists: A Brief Guide to Birdwatching Lingo, Happy National Homemade Bread Day! The atom bomb (also called the A-bomb, and the atomic bomb) is seen as one of the great signifiers of the modern age. than there are for the woman (cuckquean is the only one I am aware of). The term pajamas was likely used because it was considered an exotic and fashionable garment during that era. The celebration is cut short by an unusual death that would go on to become the subject of legendary Hollywood folklore. More than several/a few/a couple of you have asked. This statement refers to an automatic recovery of the financial market. Question: What does the phrase "the cat is crying" mean? 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. 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 . It lasted two years. I have also heard this phrase used to describe a person who is somewhat vain, or boasting in nature, often putting on airs and graces in an attempt to be considered of a finer status than they really are. 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. "As for Mr. Kirby, his appeal mystifies me, but I once knew a maiden aunt who thought he was the cat's meow." Action and reaction.". The OEDs earliest citation is from 1986 while other sources mention a slightly earlier one from 1985. To have no chance at all. The saying "Its the cat's meow." was first used in the Roaring '20s when many sayings about cats became popular. Answer: An interesting expression. Elinor Glyn: [voiceover] In November of 1924, during a weekend yacht party bound for San Diego, a mysterious death occurred within the Hollywood community. In other words, a person is perhaps not doing themselves any favours by their appearance. (US & Worldwide Statistics in 2023), 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures), How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? :). Answer: The term "cats eyes", is often made with reference to precious gems that have a changing lustre. The term jazz age - often said to have been coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald (from the title of his 1922 work Tales of the Jazz Age) - is used to describe the period between the end of the First World War and the crash of the stock market in 1929. Icy mitt rejection from ones boyfriend or girlfriend, 17. That minimal human rights apply. Charlie Chaplin: I don't know, Tom. When saying that a person is "of the cat", they are comparing them to the characteristics of the cat. 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. Fireheart twitched his ears to warn his friends they had an audience. - El Paso Herald, 12 May 1923, :one that attends motion pictures with frequency. A dramatic way of describing how frightened or upset you have been. Robot comes from the title of a play by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R. You can also use the term "the cat's pajamas," which. They scurry around the house like little, Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they have to eat meat for proper nourishment. 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.. Origin: This phrase seems to be a more modern version of care killed the cat, which was used often by the end of the 16th century (including by Shakespeare). It expresses frustration and some sarcasm in addressing their inability to carry out a task. Well there you have itdozens of cat-tastic puns to use meow or later. An example sentence being: "I have repeatedly asked John to decide on when we should finally get that garage roof repaired, but he simply won't make a decision, he is like a cat on the wall.". For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. Answer: I have heard this phrase used to describe someone who is destined to be lonely in their old age. Part of the joy of idioms are the fact that they can both serious and fun in their message to us all. I have never heard of the expression "the bats knee". The yacht, you see, belonged to William Randolph Hearst. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Definition: Refers to a burglar who uses stealth and agility to break into buildings. Presumably referencing the fact that the ice is so thin that it would not even support the weight of a cat. Kitty Purry. Answer: This expression has the meaning: That people left without supervision will do or act as they please. Then I see that in fact, I too look like a fool. As Nervous as a Long-Tailed Cat in a Room Full of Rocking Chairs. 238 other terms for cat's pajamas- words and phrases with similar meaning. The origins of this idiomatic saying remain unclear. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. "If a cat spoke, it would say things like 'Hey, I don't see the problem here." Roy Blount Jr. 3. Thomas Ince: Because you have the power to act uncivilized. Meaning: This slang term became popular in America in the 1920s and was used to proclaim that something was excellent. Sense: A way of saying that you should be efficient. Laura Hale Brockway is a writer and editor from Austin, Texas. It is a simile, rather than being an idiom. 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. Words Sung in Songs, Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. And thats the meaning of this phraseto feel smug or self-satisfied with something youve done. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Very cute. Put them together and what do you get? Oddly enough, the term for this bomb predates the making of the bomb itself (the first one was exploded in 1945). From about 1546, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), it means that there are certain things an inferior might do even in the presence of a superior. Notorious C.A.T. Question: What does the phrase "I have never seen a cats tail do that" mean? (Find grumpy cat. From a Jan. 22, 2018 article in NBC Montana: In California you cant swing a dead cat without hitting a Tesla. World Wide Words says the phrase is from the late 1980s. Thank you for your comment Patricia. - 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." (Definitions from Merriam-Webster, Wordnik, Dictionary.com, and Wikipedia.). Let the Cat Out of the Bag. Another explanation is that the phrase came about in early 17th-century London, when cats hunted mice on the rooftops - during a rainstorm, the cats were washed off the roofs and fell on passersby. Answer: This is a way of saying that you are wasting your time if you want a person to respond in a meaningful way to your question. W. R. Hearst: You can be whoever you like. One addicted to cocaine is called a 'cokehead,' 'coke,' 'snowbird,' 'sniffer.' #9 - let the cat out of the bag. The "hero" of the book, a male cat who enjoyed the favors of many female cats, was named Tom. Our content and products are for informational purposes only. Which day of the week do cats love the most? "All is cause and effect. Maybe it is more to do with the tone of the voice used. Then I see that in fact, I too look like a fool. A phrase used to describe a fashionable person. Never underestimate the power of words to communicate culture and define the spirit of the age. - 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." Soon, a woman who gossiped about other women was said to be making "catty" remarks about them. Delivered to your inbox! "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 think that there is such much fun to be had from language and the way we speak. Question: What does "don't let the cat out of the bag" mean? Meaning: To be extraordinarily self-satisfied or smug. However, what the connection is between the English county of Cheshire, grinning, and cats is unclear. Meaning: to sleep or doze for a short time. Answer: Originally a German proverb. It is suggesting that they are being cat like in their behaviour. Question: What is the meaning of the phrase: Sport to the cat is death to the mouse? If you think something is "the cat's meow," it means you think it is excellent, wonderful, really great. So far theyve been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and put in bags. more on this quote . "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." (Disclaimer: Were laughing with you, not at you, kitties.) Indicates that a person has inadvertently revealed a secret. 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." Origin: As far as the phrase fraidy-cat goes, its origins are unknown, but by 1871 it was a commonly used slang term. Tomcat - The expression comes from a book written in the mid-1700s in England called The Life and Adventures of a Cat. Log in. 1. I have also heard this said to imply that a person is shirking their responsibilities. 50. - It's raining cats and dogs - The dog, an attendant of the storm king Odin, was a symbol of wind. "A cat has nine lives.". It's 1920s slang similar to the following. Accessed 18 Apr. Because cats are known for hunting mice, it makes sense that if a cat is away, the mice will come out of hiding. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on March 30, 2018: Thanks Jerry, I hope my list helps sum some small way. Read more of her posts onPR Dailyand atimpertinentremarks.com. :O. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on November 17, 2017: Thank you. While we love seeing a unique garden with a variety of plants, some can be very dangerous for our canines. Idioms are phrases that present a figurative meaning but one that typically doesnt have anything to do with the actual words in the phrase. You've cat to be kitten me right meow. "This gal is too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel. Bimbo a brutish, unintelligent man; a bully 4. Question: What does as calm as a cat mean? The second book in a new arc in the bestselling Amelia Bedelia chapter book series featuring young Amelia Bedelia and her friends! The film takes place aboard publisher William Randolph Hearst's yacht on a weekend cruise celebrating Ince's 44th birthday on November 16, 1924. There are no logs, you see, no records or photographs of any kind. Then some friends arrive". How dare you called me a ninnyhammer you pillock! Elinor Glyn: After we all leave, the man in the box will disappear. Answer: This is a simile, which is a type of idiom. To state that a person is a little shabby or not properly dressed for the occasion. It is a way to say that a thank you is all well and good, but it will not by itself provide what you want or need. 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 Have the bees to have money, to be rich, 14. The first recorded use of this idiomatic expression was between 1905 - 1910. The origins of phrases and sayings; . Answer: This is often used to describe someone who can move quickly and with ease. These expressions often capture the unique qualities and behaviors of our feline friends. Charlie Chaplin: So what are you doing next weekend? Santa Claws. Question: "I'll die single with 42 cats". A cat's meow and cow's moo, I can recite them all. 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! "Meow" means "woof" in cat." George Carlin 2.
