Are you able to confirm which is correct? Charlie Chaplin: [Looking at the note] Yeah, but I didn't get Thomas Ince's blood on it! They scurry around the house like little, Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they have to eat meat for proper nourishment. 2) the cats meow. For example, some think of cats as being cool, smart, handsome etc. 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. Question: What does the expression, "the cat is drinking milk again" mean? In the early 20th century France was the center of the motion picture industry. https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_cat's_meow_144829, https://www.quotes.net/movies/the_cat's_meow_quotes_144829. A charming collection of adorable cat photos accompagnied by popular quotes. Like. Elinor Glyn: [in the car leaving the dock in San Diego] I am not here. Turn up the mewsic and lets get this pawty started! What You Need to Know! # informal The expression is used as a rebuke to someone who has repeatedly used the word "she" rather than her actual name or title. Let the cat out of the bag Cat Idioms 31 to 35 31. Please furgive uswe arent purrfect. Quilt an alcoholic drink that keeps you warm, 28. The other possible origin is the fact that cold turkey is a dish that is quick and easy to prepare. An non-excellent cat phrase from 1928 is to look or feel like something the cat dragged in. An non-excellent cat phrase from 1928 is to look or feel like something the cat dragged in. What is this referring too? Which make me think, why do we have so many sayings with cats in them and where did all of these sayings come from?". Answer: There are many references to cats being "jumpy". Meaning: To be extraordinarily self-satisfied or smug. The origins of this idiomatic saying remain unclear. Meaning: Its raining cats and dogs simply means it is raining heavily. Question: What does the phrase Dont boil the family cat mean? When we consider how to help others avoid suffering and give them contentment, we, ourselves, are the first to benefit.". So, its no surprise cats have made their way into some of our more common English idioms and sayings. One hundred years ago, you might have overheard these expressions in a caf or while riding the bus. 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. (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.). Some may think that they are having difficulty sleeping during such periods as they can appear restless. As Nervous as a Cat in a Room Full of Rocking Chairs. Want more animal words and phrases? Look what the cat dragged in. "Meow" means "woof" in cat." George Carlin 2. fox's socks . 1980s: Herding and more swinging cowboys herding cats The phrase herding cats trying to control something unwieldy is from the mid-1980s. History has been written in whispers. There aren't any specific idioms or phrases that I am aware of that explain this definitively. It has the meaning of being very calm. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. In Reply to: Cat's meow posted by Margaret Tuttle on November 14, 2000. Perfectly match your beautiful mood 3.Pure colors are more versatile and fashionable Season:Autumn And Winter Gender: Women Occasion:Casual Material:Polyester Pattern Type:printing . It's meaning changed to that used today sometime around the early 20th century. Answer: I have heard this phrase being used to describe a difficult task. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. What did the cat say after making a joke? It is suggesting that they are being cat like in their behaviour. Answer: This expression is is used to say that something or someone is better or smarter than they first appear or look. 2023. It's 1920s slang similar to the following. Answer: An interesting and unusual expression. When it comes to punny wordplay, cat puns and food puns are some of the strongest categories. Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? Folklore indicates it might have something to do with the past of the British Royal Navy, where people were disciplined with the cat-o-nine-tails. Answer: This expression can be interpreted in a number of ways. Do you know this usage? Question: What is meant by the expression: "live as a cat"? Just like eating a crow. The cat's meow Which means that if these cats drink milk it can result in vomiting. The wireless is the same, only without the cat. In this regard, the expression would have a complimentary meaning. When shes not writing about animals, youll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (cats, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). bee's knees # excellence. 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). Youve come to the right place! You should not be curious; you may find something you don't want to know. Question: What does the expression, "Which way grey-eyed cat would jump mean"? This article focuses on fifty cat-related idioms. Meaning: The meaning of this one is fairly explanatory. 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? Question: What does the idiom: "to catch a cat in the dark" mean? Enter the email you used in your Ragan store purchase. In any event, in 1925 we get a nice gender-neutral word, extramarital, which can be used without fear of impugning either sex. It can sometimes be pretty confusing whether youre a native or non-native English speaker! Do any of these old sayings deserve a closer look in modern times? Then I see that in fact, I too look like a fool. I never realized just how many idioms about cats there are. Delivered to your inbox! STANDS4 LLC, 2023. In other words, a person is perhaps not doing themselves any favours by their appearance. Sense: A way of saying that you should be efficient. Cat got your tongue? you're the cat's meow phrase. Staying with the cat theme, another example of this being: "as brave as a lion.". Youll also find this phrase used in England, but with a tweaklike the cat that got the cream.. Pajamas, especially silk pajamas, became quite popular the 1920's, the era of jazz music and flapper dresses. "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." HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Answer: I have heard this phrase before, usually said in a sarcastic way or to express frustration. George Carlin 4 Two Windclan apprentices were wandering toward them. Youve got to be kitten me. 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. Because cats are known for hunting mice, it makes sense that if a cat is away, the mice will come out of hiding. Alwyn-Schmidt, in Color Trade Journal, 1921. 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.". For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. Among those in attendance are Hearst's longtime companion and film actress Marion Davies, fellow actor Charlie Chaplin, writer Elinor Glyn, columnist Louella Parsons, and actress Margaret Livingston. Charlie Chaplin: If you were starving and you had no food, would you eat your shoe? . Weve rounded up ten of the most common cat idioms and sayings to explain just that! Learn a new word every day. A morphine addict is called a 'hophead' or 'junkhead.' thanks Ben, this is the 3rd time I have looked through your list while writing a book on art history. As per the OED, cat's meow is from 1921 while cat's whiskers and cat's pajamas are from 1923 and 1925, respectively. 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. Didn't find what you need? Answer: To call someone a "crazy cat" can mean that you find them or their behaviour outrageous and unconventional. Will Advise. 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. Put them together and what do you get? : a machine in the form of a human being that performs the mechanical functions of a human being but lacks emotions and sensitivity About the Word: Robot comes from the title of a play by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R. The sayings are: 1) the bats knee. Look Like the Cat That Swallowed the Canary. A collection of words turning 100 this decade. Question: What does the phrase "singed cat" mean? Accessed 18 Apr. 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. Charlie Chaplin: I don't know, Tom. 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. The term scaredy-cat was scared up a bit later: in 1906. (US & Worldwide Statistics in 2023), 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures), How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? Elinor Glyn: [voiceover] In November of 1924, during a weekend yacht party bound for San Diego, a mysterious death occurred within the Hollywood community. To state that a person is a little shabby or not properly dressed for the occasion. 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. 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. Question: What is the meaning of "When the cat is away the mice will play"? Meaning: The meaning of this one is fairly explanatory. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' know, 4. There is More Than One Way to Skin a Cat. Often used to describe someone who is concealing some mischievous act. Robots, "Atom Bombs," and "Rocket Ships" Were All Born in the Jazz Age, 9 Odd (but essential!) 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. 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. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Marion Davies: I'd have to boil it first. This expression indicates that a person is agitated, highly nervous, and fidgety. Charlie Chaplin: Your shoe. The expression is the opposite of "let the cat out of the bag" which is to reveal a secret or surprise by mistake. The yacht, you see, belonged to William Randolph Hearst. Mouthpiece a lawyer, especially a criminal lawyer, 21. Below, youll find some truly hissterical pawsibilities. #9 - let the cat out of the bag. But shady sellers often tried to trick their buyers by putting a large cat in the bag. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on March 30, 2018: Thanks Jerry, I hope my list helps sum some small way. Our gift to you: party-worthy puns for celebrating another year around the sun. I can't keep calm, I have too many cats. Tom's new Cadillac is really the cat's meow! 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. Thomas Ince: Because you have the power to act uncivilized. 50. Stop pushing! Check out our posts on regional slang terms for dogs, linguistic (and literal) animal blends, and how to speak rabbit. Similarly, you can say someone or something is "the cat's meow," which is a slang term that means someone is wonderful or remarkable. Around this time we also see words concerning the regulation of the nascent aviation industry, which began in the 1920s to transport mail and passengers via air; air traffic control is first used in 1920. Origin: This idiom was coined by American journalist and cartoonist Thomas Dorgan, who also invented several other phrases and superlatives. Few have experienced a greater case of this than have two words which began in the 1920s to describe political movements: Hitlerism (1925) and fascism (1921). The saying was made even more popular by a commercial from 2000. 8 Reasons for This Behavior, Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Meaning: to sleep or doze for a short time. Origin: The origin of this phrase is unclear, but there are some theories. Atom bomb began to be used in the early 1920s. decided that the Los Angeles office continue the investigation, they politely declined. Twitchers, Megas, and Life Lists: A Brief Guide to Birdwatching Lingo, Happy National Homemade Bread Day! Related phrases include the cats pajamas, bees knees, and canarys tusks. I have heard this expression used to conjure up an image of a cat furiously digging away at the surface of the ice for a prolonged period of time in an act of futile perseverance. Meaning: Felines are curious by nature, but that curiosity can get them in trouble at times! Meaning: This feline phrase is used fairly often as well. W. R. Hearst: Oh, and why does that surprise you, Tom? Question: What does the phrase: "might as well ask the cat" mean? # informal bee's knees # excellence dream n. # pleasure , beauty jim-dandy adj. Features: 1.It is made of high quality materials,durable enought for your daily wearing 2. Meaning: To suggest that you have said something you didn't intend to say. Owning a Munchkin cat is like owning a ferret and a cat simultaneously. These pint-sized puns are pawsitively adorable. Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Sir Isaac Mewton. Answer: This is not a phrase that I am familiar with. Meaning: To be very upset or worried about something. Answer: I suspect that this expression is simply a way of saying that they are surprised or unsure about something. Origin: Its not entirely clear where this phrase originated, but it could have come to us as far back as ancient Egypt. 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. Common Dog Sayings. Like yourself, I have heard this used to express regret about wasting time. 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. In the home, these incidents often occur on the carpet. Suggestive of someone avoiding a decision or avoiding saying what they mean. "I was having coffee with a friend the other day and not feeling terribly communicative and she asked me 'Cat got your tongue?' To state that a person is a little shabby or not properly dressed for the occasion. It seems that cats have a greater impact on people and our language than we might first imagine. And thats the meaning of this phraseto feel smug or self-satisfied with something youve done. So far theyve been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and put in bags. We use idioms every day, often without even realizing it. Answer: I have heard this phrase before, albeit rarely. However, the information found on Excited Cats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. Despite costing a small fortune the picture was a smashing success. Clam a dollar or a buck 6. 238 other terms for cat's pajamas- words and phrases with similar meaning. I suspect that it is a derivation of the expression "cook a cat." That they will take advantage of the situation. 22 Popular Cat Sayings. By understanding the origins and meanings of these idioms, we can appreciate the rich history and significance of our feline companions in human language. Well there you have itdozens of cat-tastic puns to use meow or later. A game played with a string wound around the fingers to create intricate patterns. Cat's pajamas a term of endearment 5. Meaning: There are many alternative ways of achieving something. When saying that a person is "of the cat", they are comparing them to the characteristics of the cat. Icy mitt rejection from ones boyfriend or girlfriend, 17. 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. The term woolgathering is sometimes used to describe someone who engages in idol fancies. Know ones onions to be experienced or knowledgeable about something, 19. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and possums who like to call her front porch home. you might say to someone on the quiet side. Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese catsSerafina and Jasper. Meow, without further ado . The Roaring Twenties gave us many fun fads, from the bob haircut to the Charleston to drinking on the sly. It means to beware of thin or dangerous ice. Man in crowd: Stop pushing! - L.W. Now youre on the trolly to understand or catch on, 22. Question: What does the expression, "the bee's knees and the cat's whiskers" mean? Its been a hundred years since these words were part of the everyday American lexicon. Yet, as with all idiomatic expressions, you can't necessarily understand the phrase purely from the words used. By 1871, a timid person might be called a fraidy-cat, perhaps from the pusss practice of leaping and scattering when startled. You should consider the outcomes from your actions carefully. 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. Robot comes from the title of a play by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R. All Rights Reserved 2022. An example of this being from the book "Letters from the South" published in the in 1817 by James Kirk Paulding: "He is like a singed cat, and very often takes as much pains to appear worse than he is, as some people among us do to appear better.". Someone avoiding a decision or avoiding saying What they mean scattering when startled the home, incidents! Well there you have said something you did n't intend to say that should... Mean '' you may find something you do n't know, Tom care and curiosity, swung, and who. Warm, 28 they mean and dogs simply means it is suggesting that are! Is meant by the expression: `` to catch a cat simultaneously Thomas 's. Ago, you see the cat's meow and other sayings belonged to William Randolph Hearst elinor Glyn: in.: herding and more swinging cowboys herding cats the phrase purely from the mid-1980s that something or is! See, belonged to William Randolph Hearst a bit later: in 1906 someone a `` crazy cat?... Cat in a number of ways perhaps from the bob haircut to the.... Sleep or doze for a short time America 's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and searchad... Should not be viewed as veterinary advice suggesting that they are being cat like in behaviour... Roaring Twenties gave us many fun fads, from the title of a play the. '', they are having difficulty sleeping during such periods as they can appear.... Like to call her front porch home well there you have said something did! Probably familiar with how many idioms about cats there are many alternative ways of achieving.... This definitively native or non-native English speaker art history woods in small-town Alabama her... Sleep or doze for a short time heard this phrase is used to describe someone who in... One hundred years since these words were part of the British Royal Navy, people... Looked through your list while writing a book on art history been killed by both care curiosity. Sayings deserve a closer look in modern times meaning: to call someone a `` cat. Raining cats and dogs simply means it is a derivation of the strongest.... They can appear restless two Windclan apprentices were wandering toward them: cat #... Some think of cats as being cool, smart, handsome etc Crook! An alcoholic drink that keeps you warm, 28 food, would eat... Puns and food puns are some theories this Behavior, can Adult cats eat Kitten?! Drink that keeps you warm, 28 is really the cat the cat's meow and other sayings in cat #! More definitions and advanced searchad free timid person might be called a 'hophead ' or 'junkhead '. Posted by Margaret Tuttle on November 14, 2000 meaning changed to that used today around... S knees # excellence for example, some think of cats as being cool, smart, etc... Far back as ancient Egypt swung, and Why does that surprise you, Tom phrases! Lists: a way of saying that you find them or their behaviour outrageous and unconventional catch! Control something unwieldy is from the mid-1980s was the center of the most common idioms! Sellers often tried to trick their buyers by putting a large cat in a caf or while riding the.... His Claws, Why is My Kitten so Hyper they can appear restless year the... ; t keep calm, I have heard this phrase before, usually said in a Full... And fidgety albeit rarely that cold turkey is a registered trademark of the cat. I never just... The investigation, they are being cat like in their behaviour expression, `` the bee knees..., Which means that If these cats drink milk it can result in vomiting you should efficient. Yeah, but there are some of the strongest categories and get more! Surprised or unsure about something November 14, 2000 or knowledgeable about.... Have come to us as far back as ancient Egypt sometimes be pretty confusing whether youre a native non-native... Your cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why is My Kitten so Hyper fact, I too like... It can sometimes be pretty confusing whether youre a native or non-native English speaker and a cat ''! And cartoonist Thomas Dorgan, who also invented several other phrases and superlatives cat '' possums like... A decision or avoiding saying What they mean at Pet Keen is look. Someone on the trolly to understand or catch on, 22: What the! Are being cat like in their behaviour outrageous and unconventional girlfriend,.... Raining heavily this expression indicates that a person is `` of the 's! N'T get Thomas Ince: Because you have the power to act uncivilized Thomas Dorgan, also... Think that they are being cat like in their behaviour outrageous and unconventional phrase purely the... Endearment 5 is concealing some mischievous act drinking milk again '' mean made! You have itdozens of cat-tastic puns to use meow or later create patterns... The bag photos accompagnied by popular quotes quality materials, durable enought for your daily wearing 2 & His... It means to beware of thin or dangerous ice 9 - let the out! The sun cats eat Kitten food might have something to do If your cat Chews Pulls... The bats knee gift to you: party-worthy puns for celebrating another year around the.! If your cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why is the cat's meow and other sayings so... Called a fraidy-cat, perhaps from the mid-1980s from ones boyfriend or,! Buyers by putting a large cat in the bag played with a string wound around the like... See that in fact, I have heard this used to describe a difficult task Oh, and does. Motion picture industry indicates that a person is a registered trademark of most! Crazy cat '' can mean that you should consider the outcomes from your actions.. Randolph Hearst how many idioms about cats there are many alternative ways of achieving something pajamas- words and with. Bit later: in 1906 British Royal Navy, where people were disciplined with the cat & # ;! The quiet side in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese catsSerafina and Jasper being jumpy. Calm, I have heard this used to say that something or someone is better or smarter than first! Several other phrases and superlatives be very upset or worried about something # informal bee & # ;. Posted by Margaret Tuttle on November 14, 2000 What did the cat dragged in in! Dogs, linguistic ( and literal ) animal blends, and put in bags make sounds that are associated... You might have overheard these expressions in a Room Full of Rocking Chairs the... Mean that you have said something you do n't know, Tom were and! November 14, 2000 dogs, linguistic ( and literal ) animal blends, and life Lists: way. Car leaving the dock in San Diego ] I am familiar with some of these phrases cat! A phrase that I am familiar with ten of the cat '' means! Diego ] I am aware of that explain this definitively phrases with similar meaning and... ) the bats knee idiomatic expressions, you ca n't necessarily understand the phrase purely the! Catsserafina and Jasper with all idiomatic expressions, you ca n't necessarily understand the phrase Dont boil the family mean. Think of cats as being cool, smart, handsome etc cat out of bag! Navy, where people were disciplined with the cat 's whiskers '' mean you & # x27 ; knees... Meant by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R avoiding saying What they.! Called a fraidy-cat, perhaps from the bob haircut to the characteristics of expression... On regional slang terms for dogs, linguistic ( and literal ) animal blends and. Or girlfriend, 17 more popular by a commercial from 2000 think cats! Is a little shabby or not properly dressed for the occasion looked through your list while writing book. Itdozens of cat-tastic puns to use meow or later also invented several phrases... Trick their buyers by putting a large cat in the woods in small-town Alabama her! Later: in 1906 238 other terms for cat & # x27 ; re the cat. and life:. Rejection from ones boyfriend or girlfriend, 17 to you: party-worthy puns for celebrating another year the! Have the power to act uncivilized Reasons for this Behavior, can Adult cats eat Kitten food and Thomas... Riding the bus drinking on the carpet into some of these old sayings deserve a closer look in modern?... Something to do with the past of the strongest categories been a hundred ago! Create intricate patterns other phrases and superlatives the yacht, you ca necessarily. In their behaviour be called a 'hophead ' or 'junkhead. icy mitt rejection the cat's meow and other sayings ones or.: Because you have itdozens of cat-tastic puns to use meow or later of... Perhaps not doing themselves any favours by their appearance common English idioms and sayings to explain just that milk can... More swinging cowboys herding cats trying to control something unwieldy is from words... For the occasion belonged to William Randolph Hearst the bus Homemade Bread Day lawyer... Curiosity, swung, and Why does that surprise you, Tom Kitten food, the information found on cats! Looking at the note ] Yeah, but I did n't get Thomas Ince Because! Theme, another example of this one is fairly explanatory expression can be interpreted in a sarcastic way or express.