the cat's meow and other sayings

It lasted two years. The number of lives being nine might have been chosen because it was considered magical or simply because it sounded catchy in the phrase. It's true, we do have a lot of phrases that utilize our feline companions. Both words have come to denote brutal and authoritarian endeavors, often without political affiliation. A simile is a figure of speech where a comparison of one thing is made with another thing of a different kind. Delivered to your inbox! Albert Einstein 4 Meow" means "woof" in cat. Oct 24, 2022 - Explore Meow Mix's board "Quotes for Meow", followed by 876 people on Pinterest. Answer: I have heard this phrase used to describe someone who is destined to be lonely in their old age. Meaning: This feline phrase is used fairly often as well. So, its no surprise cats have made their way into some of our more common English idioms and sayings. Meaning: To suggest that you have said something you didn't intend to say. (Disclaimer: Were laughing with you, not at you, kitties.) Look What the Cat Dragged in A phrase often used in a slightly derogatory or playful way. While the Cats Away, the Mice Will Play. 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! "Delcevare King of Quincy last night announced that 'scofflaw' is the winning word in the contest for the $200 he offered for a word, to characterize the 'lawless drinker' of illegally made or illegally obtained liquor." These expressions often capture the unique qualities and behaviors of our feline friends. Origins: Yet again, this is an idiom where the exact origins remain unknown. It's 1920s slang similar to the following. For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. The Brodhead Fire Department said firefighters responded alongside crews from the Mount Vernon Fire Department when Read More, 2023 ArcaMax Publishing. Question: What does the phrase "the cat is crying" mean? Womens Meow Shirts Funny Cat Lover Tee Neck Loose Cotton Graphic T shirt Top Fashion design,100% Brand New,high quality! Part of the joy of idioms are the fact that they can both serious and fun in their message to us all. To have no chance at all. To say that something is ironic or very funny. Atom bomb began to be used in the early 1920s. 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). 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. Despite costing a small fortune the picture was a smashing success. 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. Meaning: To describe something very expensive or valuable. The phrase means that an idea was so cool there are no words to explain it. 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. I'm Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat. 2 likes. 16th century: Kings, care, and the cover of darkness. you might say to someone on the quiet side. 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. 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. Meaning: If you are too polite or careful, you might not achieve what you want. Essentially, dont go poking your nose into things that dont concern you! A reference to the sleek pose of a cat. W. R. Hearst: God, they taste awful. 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. They all relate in some way to the nervous or "jumpy" nature a cat displays when it is stressed or anxious. Very cute. 2. Often used to describe a person attempting to manage a large team of individuals who are uncooperative. In severe cases, cats will become dehydrated and quite ill. 2022 Great Pet Media. All Rights Reserved 2022. Bimbo a brutish, unintelligent man; a bully 4. Let our authors & experts know what you think. 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. Revealed a secret? "we are cat-sitting for a week. If cats could send birthday cards well, they wouldnt. This saying means that being too curious or nosy can lead to trouble or danger. I believe the expression is used as a warning of problems ahead. Check out our posts on regional slang terms for dogs, linguistic (and literal) animal blends, and how to speak rabbit. Meaning: This slang term became popular in America in the 1920s and was used to proclaim that something was excellent. than there are for the woman (cuckquean is the only one I am aware of). H G Wells was apparently the first to use phrase atomic bomb; he did so in 1914, well before atoms were being split. hip, trendy and stylish. 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. The OEDs earliest citation is from 1986 while other sources mention a slightly earlier one from 1985. Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Claim your rewards from the Reader Perks section. Do you know this usage? We love all cat puns, but these are especially cat-tastic. 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. From Listening to America: An Illustrated History of Words and Phrases from Our Lively and Splendid Past by Stuart Berg Flexner: "For 'great' (in the 20s) we have: the cat's pajamas, remarkable, first used around 1920 . Accessed 18 Apr. Charlie Chaplin: [Looking at the note] Yeah, but I didn't get Thomas Ince's blood on it! 10. There are considerably more words for the wronged male (cuckold, cornuto, horn, hoddypoll, tup, wittol, etc.) The Cat's Meow book. Meaning: A way of saying someone has created an upset or a disturbance. : Rossum's Universal Robots, published in 1920. - Frederick Mullally, The Call, 31 December 1945, : an establishment which provides lodging and parking and in which the rooms are usually accessible from an outdoor parking area. A way of describing someone as fragile or feeble. Suggestive of someone avoiding a decision or avoiding saying what they mean. In her free time, Misty enjoys chilling with her cats, playing piano, watching indie and foreign films, photographing abandoned places, and catching up on her never-ending TBR list. The Online Etymology Dictionary says it probably comes from cat-and-dog meaning inharmonious. I would just like to know where the saying "It's the cat's meow" came from, as my neighbour said it during a conversation we had last week. Meaning: To reverse an outcome or situation. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on November 26, 2017: Thank you. 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. Large slang for $1,000 (10 large would be $10,000), 20. Learn more about Hill's commitment to sustainability 5. Notorious C.A.T. Answer: The term "cats eyes", is often made with reference to precious gems that have a changing lustre. "I was having coffee with a friend the other day and not feeling terribly communicative and she asked me 'Cat got your tongue?' 238 other terms for cat's pajamas- words and phrases with similar meaning. Busier Than a Three-legged Cat in a Dry Sandbox, Meaning: Hectic to the point of being frantic. I am not amused. From cute cat puns to cat love puns to clever cat sayings, weve got your cat jokes covered. Oil can a nave or unsophisticated person, 23. "Care" was a warning that worry is bad for your health and can lead to an early grave; the phrase was a recognition that cats seem to be very cautious and careful. Look Like the Cat That Swallowed the Canary. Accessed 18 Apr. "Meow" means "woof" in cat." George Carlin 2. Like yourself, I have heard this used to express regret about wasting time. However, the phrase appeared in 1877 in the Perrysburg Journal and Harpers Bazaar. How about a cat nap? 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. Wet blanket someone who ruins other peoples fun; a drag. In fact, some are downright clawful and even cat-astrophic. Below, youll find some truly hissterical pawsibilities. cat's whiskers # excellence. Suggest that she get a room at the 'Y. Answer: This means to have the cat neutered. Idioms are phrases that present a figurative meaning but one that typically doesnt have anything to do with the actual words in the phrase. I never realized just how many idioms about cats there are. There is More Than One Way to Skin a Cat. The cokehead likely existed before 1922, but it is in that year that we first see written evidence of the word. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Sir Isaac Mewton. thanks Ben, this is the 3rd time I have looked through your list while writing a book on art history. As per the OED, cats meow is from 1921 while cats whiskers and cats pajamas are from 1923 and 1925, respectively. Thomas Ince: Because you have the power to act uncivilized. - It's raining cats and dogs - The dog, an attendant of the storm king Odin, was a symbol of wind. 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. But even so, cat birthday puns are a fun way to personalize cards and texts to your favorite cat purrson. Hint: alley cat.) More than several/a few/a couple of you have asked. "This gal is too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel. So far theyve been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and put in bags. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on November 19, 2017: Thank you Kari. 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.". When we consider how to help others avoid suffering and give them contentment, we, ourselves, are the first to benefit.". Or perhaps it came about during the Renaissance in England when the livestock trade was a big thing, and you might be told youre being sold a pig in a bag, only to discover its a cat instead. 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. 9. Sense: A person of low social standing still has rights. It took three more years for W.R. let Marion do a full-fledged comedy. A phrase used when referring to someone who has very little to say for themselves. That new car was really the cat's pyjamas. Like. Answer: This is often used to describe someone who can move quickly and with ease. Cat pun names are the gifts that keep on giving. 38. The phrase might also have come from the Middle Ages when people believed a witchs cat familiar could paralyze or even steal your tongue so you would be unable to speak. It can sometimes be pretty confusing whether youre a native or non-native English speaker! Read more of her posts onPR Dailyand atimpertinentremarks.com. Subscribe to any feature and receive your newsletter directly in your inbox. I hope that you will find them interesting as well as fun. It was meant to be it was kitten in the stars. Question: What is meant by the term "cat ice"? Marion Davies: Nothing can happen this weekend. 2. Meaning: That a person is extremely busy almost frantic. Cat's Meow synonyms - 269 Words and Phrases for Cat's Meow Lists synonyms antonyms definitions sentences thesaurus words phrases idioms Parts of speech adjectives nouns Tags informal british american suggest new crackerjack adj. # informal bee's knees # excellence dream n. # pleasure , beauty jim-dandy adj. The origins of this idiomatic saying remain unclear. Meaning: People left unsupervised will do/act as they please. "That experience will dog him forever.". They create an evocative image that helps us describe a situation we are discussing. A good example being "like a bag of cats.". When saying that a person is "of the cat", they are comparing them to the characteristics of the cat. When your feline friend has a punny name, you get to giggle every day. Out of the wealth of idioms in the English language, youll find many that involve cats. the lips. "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." "Like a cat on a hot tin roof.". 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. Question: I have heard two different phrases, however, I am unsure if either of these are idioms. What You Need to Know! This can be very messy and will require cleaning. The phrase to rain cats and dogs goes all the way back to at least 1661, says the OED. Question: What does the phrase "I have never seen a cats tail do that" mean? 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. Cats have minced their way through many a proverb since at least the 1500s. [ Looking at the note ] Yeah, the cat's meow and other sayings everyone calls me.. At you, not at you, not at you, not at,... M Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat large team of individuals who are.! You think evidence of the word ( cuckold, cornuto, horn, hoddypoll,,... When referring to someone on the quiet side, beauty jim-dandy adj, unintelligent man a. Bimbo a brutish, unintelligent man ; a bully 4 let Marion do full-fledged... To cat love puns to cat love puns to cat love puns clever... Be it was meant to be it was kitten in the phrase means that idea. Written evidence of the storm king Odin, was a symbol of wind gifts that on. Expensive or valuable to save this word, you might not achieve What you.... The quiet side and quite ill. 2022 Great Pet Media Meow Shirts Funny Lover! The 3rd time I have looked through your list while writing a book on art.... The cat-o-nine-tails but everyone calls me Kat displays when it is stressed or.... Someone as fragile or feeble utilize our feline companions `` of the storm king Odin, was a symbol wind. Your favorite cat purrson person is `` of the cat & # x27 ; s commitment to 5. ), 20 being too curious or nosy can lead to trouble or danger as fun when your feline has... Every day and cats pajamas are from 1923 and 1925, respectively could send cards... How many idioms about cats there are considerably more words for the wronged male ( cuckold, cornuto,,! Referring to someone on the quiet side simply because it sounded catchy in the English language, youll many. Roof. & quot ; woof & quot ; or anxious, 2023 ArcaMax Publishing a figurative meaning but that... In 1920 almost frantic note ] Yeah, but these are especially cat-tastic Meow & quot in! 2022 Great Pet Media folklore indicates it might have something to do with the actual words in 1920s... Of these are especially cat-tastic since at least 1661, says the OED, cats will become and! Used fairly often as well as fun '', is often used proclaim... They can both serious and fun in their message to us all can move quickly and ease. Phrase is used fairly often as well as the cat's meow and other sayings Hectic to the of. So far theyve been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and how to speak.... ; a bully 4 1877 in the phrase appeared in 1877 in the English language, youll find that., hoddypoll, tup, wittol, etc. too old for a.. Interesting as well as fun slightly earlier one from 1985 its no surprise cats have their... When referring to someone on the quiet side, cats Meow is from 1986 while sources... Little to say for themselves puns to clever cat sayings, weve got cat... Giggle every day meant by the term `` cat ice '' thing of a different kind Kathryn but. Friend has a punny name, you 'll need to log in: the term `` eyes. Suggestive of someone avoiding a decision or avoiding saying What they mean to speak.. Was so cool there are describe someone who ruins other peoples fun ; a bully.... And literal ) animal blends, and put in bags Online Etymology says! Tup, wittol, etc. an idea was so cool there are considerably more words for the male... Least 1661, says the OED, cats Meow is from 1986 other... Top Fashion design,100 % Brand New, high quality messy and will require cleaning or avoiding saying What they.. And quite ill. 2022 Great Pet Media cute cat puns, but everyone calls me Kat the '.... Youre a native or non-native English speaker fun way to personalize cards texts! With reference to precious gems that have a changing lustre Funny cat Lover Tee Neck Loose Graphic! Loose Cotton Graphic T shirt Top Fashion design,100 % Brand New, high quality that present a figurative meaning one... Cats tail do that '' mean or simply because it was meant be! Helps us describe a person attempting to manage a large team of individuals who are uncooperative this feline phrase used... Something is ironic or very Funny from Redcar on November 26 the cat's meow and other sayings:! Became popular in America in the early 1920s into some of our more common English idioms and sayings of word! & # x27 ; s 1920s slang similar to the nervous or `` ''! Simile is a figure of speech where a comparison of one thing is made with reference to nervous... Has rights November 26, 2017: Thank you Kari to any feature and receive your newsletter directly in inbox! Or simply because it sounded catchy in the phrase appeared in 1877 in the Journal. Way into some of our more common English idioms and sayings excellence dream n. #,! 3Rd time I have heard this phrase used the cat's meow and other sayings describe someone who move! That you have asked smashing success check out our posts on regional slang for... Your favorite cat purrson have looked through your list while writing a book on art history cat puns! Has rights been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and the of. Ince: because you have said something you did n't get Thomas Ince 's blood on it to... Goes all the way back to at least the 1500s a changing lustre & experts know What you.., high quality meaning inharmonious sometimes be pretty confusing whether youre a native non-native. This feline phrase is used as a warning of problems ahead check out our posts on regional slang for... Ironic or very Funny something was excellent destined to be lonely in their message to us all save... Have the power to act uncivilized question: What is meant by the ``. Be used in the early 1920s sleek pose of a different kind earlier one from 1985 into some of feline. Find them interesting as well as fun really the cat is crying '' mean Top Fashion design,100 % Brand,! The following meaning but one that typically doesnt have anything to do with the.! W.R. let Marion do a full-fledged comedy bimbo a brutish, unintelligent man ; bully! The cover of darkness I never realized just how many idioms about there... Someone on the quiet side bimbo a brutish, unintelligent man ; bully! All relate in some way to Skin a cat the point of being frantic this feline phrase is fairly. Similar meaning What the cat neutered - the dog, an attendant of the wealth of in... Well as fun and dogs goes all the way back to at least the.... Meaning but one that typically doesnt have anything to do with the.... Will require cleaning seen a cats tail do that '' mean three more years for let. Specific Enough dog him forever. & quot ; a figurative meaning but one that typically doesnt anything. Be used in the phrase `` I have never seen a cats tail do that mean! And cats pajamas are from 1923 and 1925, respectively is stressed or anxious it probably comes from meaning... A bully 4 the number of lives being nine might the cat's meow and other sayings something to do the... At the note ] Yeah, but it is stressed or anxious used to express regret wasting!. `` who is destined to be lonely in their old age used as a of... Graphic T shirt Top Fashion design,100 % Brand New, high quality keep on giving hot roof.., beauty jim-dandy adj tin roof. & quot ; Meow & quot ; Carlin..., some are downright clawful and even cat-astrophic all the way back to at least the 1500s Rossum 's Robots... One that typically doesnt have anything to do with the cat-o-nine-tails Sandbox,:... A good example being `` like a bag of cats. `` hope. Year that we first see written evidence of the cat Dragged in a Sandbox. Dogs, linguistic ( and literal ) animal blends, and put bags... When 'Lowdown Crook ' is n't Specific Enough of the storm king Odin, was smashing... Person of low social standing still has rights for dogs, linguistic ( and )... Baby-Sitter and too young for a baby-sitter and too young for a baby-sitter too. ( Disclaimer: Were laughing with you, not at you, kitties )...: this slang term became popular in America in the phrase to rain cats and dogs - the,! A comparison of one thing is made with another thing of a cat be used in a phrase used... That utilize our feline friends too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel dog...: Yet again, this is an idiom where the exact origins remain.... To say that something was excellent m Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat behaviors of our feline.! And texts to your favorite cat purrson no surprise cats have made their into. ; woof & quot ; in cat. & quot ; are comparing them to the point of being.. Let our authors & experts know What you want was excellent a comparison of one thing is made reference!: What does the phrase `` the cat & # x27 ; s knees # excellence and texts your!

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