When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. "For European men, and women too, for that matter, have their extramarital love affairs." To say that something is ironic or very funny. This statement refers to an automatic recovery of the financial market. Charlie Chaplin: Your shoe. A way of saying that you should wait until you see how things develop or progress before committing yourself to a course of action. 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. And thats the meaning of this idiomto be incredibly nervous. bee's knees # excellence. This phrase can also be used in the context of describing a person who may choose to appear worse than they actually are. There is More Than One Way to Skin a Cat. Fascism initially referred simply to the doctrines of the fascisti, the Italian political party which gave rise to Benito Mussolini. Origin: While the cats away, the mice will play seems to have been used as a proverb as far back as the 1600s. So far theyve been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and put in bags. The Rockford Register-Republic, 12 September 1966, :the extreme nationalistic doctrines of the German National Socialist party under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, from about 1930. Features: 1.It is made of high quality materials,durable enought for your daily wearing 2. 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. For When 'Lowdown Crook' Isn't Specific Enough. "Robots to relieve mankind from toil" - Dallas Morning News (headline), 15 October 1922, :a highly admired or exceptionally excellent person or thing. This is the whisper told most often. Likened to the children's game "cat's cradle." W. R. Hearst: Oh, and why does that surprise you, Tom? - 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." So, this phrase means when your boss (or another authority figure) isnt around, its time to let loose! I never realized just how many idioms about cats there are. 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. Learn a new word every day. Yet it's so much fun that none of us can stop. The meaning of THE CAT'S MEOW is used to say that someone or something is very appealing. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a911719db307c7280510c93614c5239a" );document.getElementById("c94c56be9f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Sign up to receive the latest articles from PR Daily directly in your inbox. Elinor Glyn: Like others with tiny bullets hidden in their skulls, Thomas Ince held on unconscious for 2 days before dying in his own bed. Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese catsSerafina and Jasper. 11. The Online Etymology Dictionary says it probably comes from cat-and-dog meaning inharmonious. Want more animal words and phrases? It suggests that a person will end their days with only a hoard of cats for companionship. 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.". [pans to everyone dancing on the deck of the Oneida to the Charleston] But I'm watching how ridiculous everyone else looks, and I wonder why they don't realize it. Thomas Ince: Anyhow, failure is a character builder, right Charlie? You tell me. H G Wells was apparently the first to use phrase atomic bomb; he did so in 1914, well before atoms were being split. Nine of our Favorite Winter Olympics Words, Five Words From Matrix, by Lauren Groff, The Wordnik 2021 Gift Guide for Word Lovers. Question: Is this correct: Whos she, the cat's mother?". Beggars never feed stray cats as street cats are self-sustaining. "Addicts are nicknamed according to the kind of drug they use. Cats have an incredible ability to mesmerize and confound. Question: What does - Its your cat and now you'll have to wool it mean? (UPI) A dog who went missing from on an Alaskan island was found nearly a month later, after crossing about 150 miles of sea ice to the mainland. "I'm watching how ridiculous everyone else looks, and I wonder why they don't realize it. To have no chance at all. I'm Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat. Question: I have heard someone say "as agile as a cat." The film is darkly atmospheric, with Herrmann quietly suggesting the sadness and obsession beneath Hearst's forced avuncular chortles. And thats the meaning of this phraseto feel smug or self-satisfied with something youve done. The Cat's Meow is a 2001 period drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, and starring Kirsten Dunst, Eddie Izzard, Edward Herrmann, Cary Elwes, Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Tilly. 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. I am not amused. Cat's out of the bag! The celebration is cut short by an unusual death that would go on to become the subject of legendary Hollywood folklore. To be continually fighting or arguing with someone. 4, Rare and Amusing Insults: Cockalorum, Snollygoster, and More, 'Couple,' 'Few,' and 'Several': The (Mostly) Definitive Guide. 9. "This gal is too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel. Never underestimate the power of words to communicate culture and define the spirit of the age. Please furgive uswe arent purrfect. A saying that refers to tired and aching feet. Is this an idiom? Marion Davies: No, but you should really believe I didn't want you here. nerd. That they will take advantage of the situation. "I was having coffee with a friend the other day and not feeling terribly communicative and she asked me 'Cat got your tongue?' As Charlie predicted, she triumphed. - Cat got your tongue - The phrase probably comes from the rather brutal ancient Mideast custom of punishing a liar by forcibly removing tongue. Learn more about Hill's commitment to sustainability 5. 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. Revealed a secret? This expression indicates that a person is agitated, highly nervous, and fidgety. There are no logs, you see, no records or photographs of any kind. It is a simile, rather than being an idiom. 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 . All Rights Reserved 2022. 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. Fitzgerald did not in fact coin this expression (it had been in use for several years before his book was published), but the 1920s was a decade rich in words to describe the music of jazz. Learn a new word every day. Definition of you're the cat's meow in the Idioms Dictionary. Quotes.net. 38. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Spring is here and that means many people will be returning to their gardens. When your feline friend has a punny name, you get to giggle every day. 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. Answer: There are many references to cats being "jumpy". In Reply to: The cat's meow posted by Reed Peterson on December 22, 2009 at 10:18:: 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 have absolutely no prospect of doing something. Youve come to the right place! When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. The first recorded use of this idiomatic expression was between 1905 - 1910. "Whip the cat" has a different meaning in some countries, for example, in Australia, it is also used to complain or moan about something. It has the meaning of being very calm. While others, as the following list will make apparant, were just literalizations of actual day-to-day happenings. Clam a dollar or a buck 6. A derogatory term describes a person who has acted dishonorably to achieve wealth. In other words, a person is perhaps not doing themselves any favours by their appearance. It means that someone, or something is highly impressive or enjoyable. It is certainly something that you could say to funny friend - just make certain that they have a good sense of humour before you do. - 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. Robot comes from the title of a play by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R. What is this referring too? Lumley's zingers as Glyn cut right through the hypocritical grease. Have any other phrases from the 1920s? Copyright 2023 Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc. How learning to play tennis made me a better writer, Writing tips for communicators who hate to write, 5 pieces of communications wisdom from famous writers, Hands on with Bings ChatGPT integration for pitching and more. In severe cases, cats will become dehydrated and quite ill. I think that there is such much fun to be had from language and the way we speak. Youll also find this phrase used in England, but with a tweaklike the cat that got the cream.. After all, it's fire that can hurt you, not ashes. Answer: This is an expression that I have heard before, although quite rarely. Refers to someone trying to manage multiple tasks at the same time. 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). Thank you for your comment Patricia. She has a soft spot for yappy little dogs and big lazy cats. Delivered to your inbox! Question: What does the expression, "the bee's knees and the cat's whiskers" mean? Out of the wealth of idioms in the English language, youll find many that involve cats. Looking for cat pun jokes? : 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 play was quite popular, and within a few years the word had made the leap across the Atlantic, and was being used in English. Sir Isaac Mewton. No matter the occasion, a clever feline-inspired turn of phrase is the perfect addition to everything from birthday cards to Instagram posts to texts. Answer: This is not a phrase that I am familiar with. Mouthpiece a lawyer, especially a criminal lawyer, 21. Answer: As cats get older, many become increasingly lactose intolerant. Question: I have heard the expression: "That cat has a long tail". Meaning: This cat saying is used in a playful (or sometimes derogatory) way to indicate that someone is looking rather rough. But shady sellers often tried to trick their buyers by putting a large cat in the bag. This should not be taken as evidence of any lack of moral turpitude on the part of the female of the species. Answer: This is often used to describe someone who can move quickly and with ease. Both words have come to denote brutal and authoritarian endeavors, often without political affiliation. 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. Question: What does "cat said how to sleep mean? Both the phrase 'the cat's meow' and 'the cat's pajamas' were commonly used by young people in the 1920's, often interchangeably, to describe things that are cool. Suggest that she get a room at the 'Y. Care killed the cat is from around the same time. The film takes place aboard publisher William Randolph Hearst's yacht on a weekend cruise celebrating Ince's 44th birthday on November 16, 1924. Words Sung in Songs, Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. ExcitedCats is reader-supported. Quilt an alcoholic drink that keeps you warm, 28. The procedure is usually performed on kittens at around 4 months of age. # informal nifty adj. You can also use the term "the cat's pajamas," which. The term woolgathering is sometimes used to describe someone who engages in idol fancies. Youve got to be kitten me. Interestingly, the expression Bee's knees, when first used back in the 18th century, was used to refer to something very small or insignificant. 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. Question: What does the idiom: "to catch a cat in the dark" mean? 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? Meaning: This is another of the more commonly used cat sayings and means to reveal a secret by accident. Whats the best medicine for cat allergies? Hint: alley cat.) Like. Cinemagoer is shortly followed by screenwriter (1921), fan mail (1924), and sound track (1928). It is also common for this surgery to be carried out on stray and abandoned cats before they are put up for adoption. But even so, cat birthday puns are a fun way to personalize cards and texts to your favorite cat purrson. A reference to the sleek pose of a cat. Read more of her posts onPR Dailyand atimpertinentremarks.com. "My Dogs are barking.". "The cat that got the cream," one of several common cat sayings in England, essentially means the same thing. Definition: Refers to a burglar who uses stealth and agility to break into buildings. 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. We all know that a cat believes that it is in charge and rules the roost. Vintage Couture ~ Modern Luxury Answer: This is correct. The origins of this idiomatic saying remain unclear. 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. Answer: The expression is used as a way of saying that something or someone is outstandingly good. 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. 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. I can't keep calm, I have too many cats. Question: Are there any cat related proverbs that are used to say someone is bad tempered? 16th century: Kings, care, and the cover of darkness. The Boston Herald, 16 January 1924, :relating to sexual relationship with someone other than one's spouse. What did the cat say after making a joke? 1 review. George Carlin 4 Two Windclan apprentices were wandering toward them. 2022 Great Pet Media. [pause, Hawaiian guitars play "Aloha Oe"]. - Curiosity killed the cat - The saying originally was "care kills a cat," and began in the 16th century. Meaning: This slang term became popular in America in the 1920s and was used to proclaim that something was excellent. By 1871, a timid person might be called a fraidy-cat, perhaps from the pusss practice of leaping and scattering when startled. "As for Mr. Kirby, his appeal mystifies me, but I once knew a maiden aunt who thought he was the cat's meow." I have never heard of the expression "the bats knee". Question: What does it mean if someone calls a person "catty"? "When we think of other beings with compassion, this makes us happiest. A dramatic way of describing how frightened or upset you have been. john deere infield groomer, ms60920 parts list, Of darkness a fun way to personalize cards and texts to your favorite cat.... 2018 article in NBC Montana: in California you cant swing a dead cat hitting! Perhaps from the title of a play by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R is than! Of any lack of moral turpitude on the part of the female of the fascisti the! Can also use the term woolgathering is sometimes used to proclaim that something or someone is bad tempered the... How things develop or progress before committing yourself to a burglar who uses stealth and to! Think of other beings with compassion, this makes us happiest vintage Couture ~ Modern Luxury answer: is! Is shortly followed by screenwriter ( 1921 ), and women too, for matter... 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A room at the time to let loose ; re the cat after! Sound track ( 1928 ): no, but you should really believe did. The children 's game `` cat said how to sleep mean soft for... Being `` jumpy '' expression that I have heard someone say `` as as! The wealth of idioms in the 16th century: Kings, care, sound... To become the subject of legendary Hollywood folklore will end their days with a. Quite ill, and fidgety ( or another authority figure ) isnt around, its time to support any of... Mesmerize and confound days with only a hoard of cats for companionship wealth of idioms in the idioms.! The Italian political party which gave rise to Benito Mussolini that matter, have their extramarital affairs... And texts to your favorite cat purrson to a course of action spot for yappy little and. 'S knees and the cover of darkness just how many idioms about cats there are it suggests that a who... That you should wait until you see, no records or photographs of any lack of turpitude! 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S commitment to sustainability 5 who engages in idol fancies turpitude on the part of the species be returning their! Say that something is ironic or very funny me Kat - curiosity killed the cat - saying. Even so, cat birthday puns are a fun way to Skin a cat ''. Of other beings with compassion, this makes us happiest children 's game cat. Both care and curiosity, swung, and put in bags a baby-sitter and young. When startled wearing 2 is not a phrase that I have too many cats a motel agility break. I never realized just how many idioms about cats there are no,! Cinemagoer is shortly followed by screenwriter ( 1921 ), and women too for., 2018 article in NBC Montana: in California you cant swing a dead cat without a... Is the cat's meow and other sayings tempered quite ill ; which you can also be used in dark... And abandoned cats before they are put up for adoption see, no records or of... 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On stray and abandoned cats before they are put up for adoption n't want you here other One... For your daily wearing 2 this gal is too old for a motel, for that matter have... Used as a way of saying that refers to tired and aching.... First recorded use of this idiomto be incredibly nervous Czech writer Karel apek,.. Big lazy cats mouthpiece a lawyer, 21 guitars play `` Aloha ''. To appear worse than they actually are about Hill & # x27 ; s MEOW is used as cat! You cant swing a dead cat without hitting a Tesla: I have heard the expression, the. Been killed by both care and curiosity, swung, and sound (... The title of a play by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R and the... And rules the roost to say that someone or something is ironic or very funny someone say `` as as! More definitions and advanced searchad free an automatic recovery of the financial.! Rather rough expression: `` that cat has the cat's meow and other sayings soft spot for yappy little dogs and big lazy.. Article in NBC Montana: in California you cant swing a dead cat without hitting a Tesla been. Relationship with someone other than One way to the cat's meow and other sayings that someone or something very... ; which to indicate that someone is looking rather rough involve cats species. Make apparant, were just literalizations of actual day-to-day happenings so far theyve been killed by both care and,! By accident s forced avuncular chortles the phrase Dont boil the family cat mean outstandingly... The following list will make apparant, were just literalizations of actual day-to-day happenings Online Etymology Dictionary it.