For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. It took three more years for W.R. let Marion do a full-fledged comedy. Words Sung in Songs, Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. Answer: There are many references to cats being "jumpy". Posted by Reed Peterson on December 22, 2009 at 10:18. bee's knees # excellence. The number of lives being nine might have been chosen because it was considered magical or simply because it sounded catchy in the phrase. Answer: As cats get older, many become increasingly lactose intolerant. Answer: This expression can have has many facets to it as the cat has traits and characteristics. An non-excellent cat phrase from 1928 is to look or feel like something the cat dragged in. If a shrewd shopper looked in the bag - then the cat was literally out of the bag. Are you smitten with kitten puns? Origin: The origin of this phrase is unclear, but there are some theories. Answer: This is correct. William Shakespaw. Leonardo DiCatrio. This idiom refers to the fact that it is raining very heavily. The Boston Herald, 16 January 1924, :relating to sexual relationship with someone other than one's spouse. The San Diego D.A. 1 review. Monica Weymouth is a Philadelphia-based writer, editor, animal lover, and Jeopardy! A charming collection of adorable cat photos accompagnied by popular quotes. 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). Kari Poulsen from Ohio on November 18, 2017: That's wonderful, Ben! Vintage Couture ~ Modern Luxury Cat got your tongue? Question: What do cat's eyes symbolize when the term is used with reference to a woman? A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. Question: Are there any cat related proverbs that are used to say someone is bad tempered? This expression refers to something overly complicated. Another one was animal-themed nonsense phrases that described something excellent. Origins: Like the cat that ate the canary hasnt been around as long as many other cat sayings. Fascism initially referred simply to the doctrines of the fascisti, the Italian political party which gave rise to Benito Mussolini. 1. 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 . A cat's meow and cow's moo, I can recite them all. 38. Answer: Originally a German proverb. "Whip the cat" has a different meaning in some countries, for example, in Australia, it is also used to complain or moan about something. An opium addict is a 'yenshee baby.'" Answer: The expression: "the cats meow" is an idiom. If youve seen the movie Super Troopers, you understand just how amewsing a good meow pun can be. Meaning: There are many alternative ways of achieving something. One I heard at the end of a song: As graceful as a 3 legged cat burying a turd on a frozen lake. 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. Little evidence exists now or existed at the time to support any version of those weekend events. Question: What does the phrase Dont boil the family cat mean? 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. Question: What does the idiom: "to catch a cat in the dark" mean? Curiosity killed the cat was among the phrases found in the 1873 book A handbook of proverbs: English, Scottish, Irish, American, Shakespearean, and scriptural; and family mottoes and appears to have been coined by the Irish. Look what the cat dragged in. 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. Essentially, dont go poking your nose into things that dont concern you! Meaning: This slang term became popular in America in the 1920s and was used to proclaim that something was excellent. (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.). You should not be curious; you may find something you don't want to know. Meaning: The meaning of this saying is fairly self-explanatoryif youre a cat parent, you know that felines can be skittish (and jump ten feet in the air), so this phrase is used to describe a person who is scared or timid. Delivered to your inbox! Alwyn-Schmidt, in Color Trade Journal, 1921. Notorious C.A.T. As per the OED, cat's meow is from 1921 while cat's whiskers and cat's pajamas are from 1923 and 1925, respectively. Most often used when a mother is called "she" in a conversation. Answer: This means to have the cat neutered. Owning a Munchkin cat is like owning a ferret and a cat simultaneously. When we consider how to help others avoid suffering and give them contentment, we, ourselves, are the first to benefit.". Cat Nail Biting: What to Do If Your Cat Chews & Pulls His Claws, Why Is My Kitten So Hyper? 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. It is similar to the phase "to skate on thin ice". "His thousands of admirers are happy to know that no anti-toxin has yet been discovered to cure this master jazzman of his 'illness!'" They are likely to take advantage of the situation. 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. A cat may look at a king is an early one. Weve rounded up ten of the most common cat idioms and sayings to explain just that! Celebrate with Seven Slices of Baking Lingo, Beyond Beowulf: Q&A with Hana Videen, author of, Eye on the Hog! Cool. Sob sister a writer or journalist who specializes in emotional or sentimental articles, 30. Origins: Yet again, this is an idiom where the exact origins remain unknown. Youve got to be kitten me. Then I see that in fact, I too look like a fool. you might say to someone on the quiet side. Marion Davies: Nothing can happen this weekend. One goose, two geese. Origin: Its not entirely clear where this phrase originated, but it could have come to us as far back as ancient Egypt. Answer: This is an expression that I have heard before, although quite rarely. There is More Than One Way to Skin a Cat. I suspect that your expression is a variation on this theme. Youve come to the right place! History has been written in whispers. I wonder if this is being confused with the idiom "the bees knees", which has the meaning of something being excellent or impressive. Pet Keen is reader-supported. Answer: This expression is is used to say that something or someone is better or smarter than they first appear or look. 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. Read reviews from world's largest community for readers. Out of the wealth of idioms in the English language, youll find many that involve cats. Often used to describe someone who is concealing some mischievous act. This can be very messy and will require cleaning. Just like eating a crow. Turn up the mewsic and lets get this pawty started! Over time, the word began to be pronounced as "puss," associating it with the cat. This little book is a compilation of quotes and poetry about our beloved pets, but cats in particular. Oct 24, 2022 - Explore Meow Mix's board "Quotes for Meow", followed by 876 people on Pinterest. In the home, these incidents often occur on the carpet. Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Quotes.net. decided that the Los Angeles office continue the investigation, they politely declined. 18 Apr. I hope that you will find them interesting as well as fun. I love this quote (in the image below) from Lewis Carroll. How dare you called me a ninnyhammer you pillock! Some may think that they are having difficulty sleeping during such periods as they can appear restless. That they will take advantage of the situation. 8 Reasons for This Behavior, Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Albert Einstein 4 Meow" means "woof" in cat. Womens Meow Shirts Funny Cat Lover Tee Neck Loose Cotton Graphic T shirt Top Fashion design,100% Brand New,high quality! One moose, two moose. Definition of you're the cat's meow in the Idioms Dictionary. Answer: An interesting and unusual expression. I was suprised at the number of these idioms too. 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. The yacht, you see, belonged to William Randolph Hearst. Refers to people who, in their younger days, may act wildly or without restraint, often learn to their cost that this behavior is inappropriate in later life. Heres a brief history of cat idioms and where they might come from. 2. Origin: While the cats away, the mice will play seems to have been used as a proverb as far back as the 1600s. The meaning of THE CAT'S MEOW is used to say that someone or something is very appealing. Question: What does the expression, like a hairless cat mean? Handcuff a wedding or engagement ring, 12. This expression refers to an impossible task. Please add them in the comment section. Good luck with your book. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and possums who like to call her front porch home. "When we think of other beings with compassion, this makes us happiest. Marion Davies: No, but you should really believe I didn't want you here. (US & Worldwide Statistics in 2023), 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures), How Many Babies Do Hamsters Have In A Litter? sell with us - copy - copy - copy - copy - copy. The "hero" of the book, a male cat who enjoyed the favors of many female cats, was named Tom. The English language is funny at timestake idioms, for example. Question: What does the phrase "crazy cat" mean? 2 likes. The Brodhead Fire Department said firefighters responded alongside crews from the Mount Vernon Fire Department when Read More, 2023 ArcaMax Publishing. The OEDs earliest citation is from 1986 while other sources mention a slightly earlier one from 1985. Tom's new Cadillac is really the cat's meow! Subscribe to any feature and receive your newsletter directly in your inbox. Which means that if these cats drink milk it can result in vomiting. Its also a phrase thats used more often as a childhood taunt than an everyday phrase used by all. Youre how old?! Often used to describe someone who is concealing some mischievous act. :O. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on November 17, 2017: Thank you. (Disclaimer: Were laughing with you, not at you, kitties.) After all, it's fire that can hurt you, not ashes. This article focuses on fifty cat-related idioms. 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. Heres why. 1. Let the Cat Out of the Bag Another popular cat phrase, this refers to revealing a secret without intending to whoops. Elinor Glyn: Only in a place like this do reporters and autograph hounds have absolutely no scruples about stampeding mourners at a funeral. There aren't any specific idioms or phrases that I am aware of that explain this definitively. "The cat that got the cream," one of several common cat sayings in England, essentially means the same thing. 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. Thomas Ince: Anyhow, failure is a character builder, right Charlie? The Online Etymology Dictionary says it probably comes from cat-and-dog meaning inharmonious. It means to beware of thin or dangerous ice. Put them together and what do you get? A way of describing someone as fragile or feeble. I am familiar with the expression "to see which way the cat jumps" which means to wait and see what happens or transpires. A good example being "like a bag of cats.". Then youve let the cat out of the bag. In those days, crime could be punished by the removal of a persons tongue (that was then fed to a cat). Part of the joy of idioms are the fact that they can both serious and fun in their message to us all. The film takes place aboard publisher William Randolph Hearst's yacht on a weekend cruise celebrating Ince's 44th birthday on November 16, 1924. It means that someone, or something is highly impressive or enjoyable. Kitty Purry. Cats have an incredible ability to mesmerize and confound. I believe that your expression means that you own a cat (or issue) and that you will now have to indulge it repercussions or demands. 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. Question: I have heard someone say "as agile as a cat." Our content and products are for informational purposes only. Answer: This is not a phrase that I am familiar with. Meaning: That something is very, very funny. 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). 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.. The film is darkly atmospheric, with Herrmann quietly suggesting the sadness and obsession beneath Hearst's forced avuncular chortles. (Definitions from Merriam-Webster, Wordnik, Dictionary.com, and Wikipedia.). PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. It's true, we do have a lot of phrases that utilize our feline companions. Cat fancier Rob "Power of the Meow" Stanson has been an observer and studied cats for over twenty years. Breeding & Reproduction Guide. 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. "This gal is too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel. In Reply to: Cat's meow posted by Margaret Tuttle on November 14, 2000. 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. To be continually fighting or arguing with someone. The atom bomb (also called the A-bomb, and the atomic bomb) is seen as one of the great signifiers of the modern age. Never underestimate the power of words to communicate culture and define the spirit of the age. 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). Meowly Cyrus. "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." Claws is the laws. Oil can a nave or unsophisticated person, 23. As Charlie predicted, she triumphed. If you think something is "the cat's meow," it means you think it is excellent, wonderful, really great. Question: What is meant by the term "cat ice"? I'm Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat. It's meaning changed to that used today sometime around the early 20th century. Nine lives is not enough. 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