2023. Answer: This is a simile, which is a type of idiom. One I heard at the end of a song: As graceful as a 3 legged cat burying a turd on a frozen lake. "The Cat's Meow Quotes." Meaning: Its raining cats and dogs simply means it is raining heavily. 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. And thats the meaning of this phraseto feel smug or self-satisfied with something youve done. David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Power of Meow. Meaning: Taking great care and consideration in an activity. 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). dog's bollocks. A very heavy storm, therefore, indicated that both cats and dogs were involved. "As for Mr. Kirby, his appeal mystifies me, but I once knew a maiden aunt who thought he was the cat's meow." Cat got your tongue? Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on June 20, 2018: Thank you for your comment. Who doesnt love good (or even not so good) cat puns? 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. The seller usually kept the pig in a bag, so it would be easier for the buyer to take it home. You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. Log in. Answer: The expression: "the cats meow" is an idiom. 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. We use idioms every day, often without even realizing it. Quilt an alcoholic drink that keeps you warm, 28. Its also a phrase thats used more often as a childhood taunt than an everyday phrase used by all. This is another example of how language is always evolving. Question: What does the expression, like a hairless cat mean? Let the Cat Out of the Bag. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Cat fancier Rob "Power of the Meow" Stanson has been an observer and studied cats for over twenty years. History has been written in whispers. However, we dont know for sure why or when this phrase came into being. 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. Well there you have itdozens of cat-tastic puns to use meow or later. Top 10 Cat Idioms & Sayings. This saying means that cats are very resilient and have the ability to survive difficult situations. Learn a new word every day. 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 the phrase "singed cat" mean? Answer: That's not an expression that I have heard. The origins of this idiomatic saying remain unclear. Is this an idiom? Origins: Yet again, this is an idiom where the exact origins remain unknown. Over time, the word "care" evolved into "curiosity. Marion Davies: I'd have to boil it first. 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. I suspect that your expression is a variation on this theme. Out on the roof to be drunk; to drink in excess, 24. The cokehead likely existed before 1922, but it is in that year that we first see written evidence of the word. But the phrase may be even older and related to the Greek word katadoupoi, which refers to waterfalls. References the actions of a stray cat that hangs around streets and alleyways of a town or city and refers to a person of loose morals. A good example being "like a bag of cats.". sell with us - copy - copy - copy - copy - copy. Question: What does as calm as a cat mean? Depending on what they are inferring this can be either positive or negative. Do any of these old sayings deserve a closer look in modern times? ExcitedCats is reader-supported. If we stopped, we'd have nothing. I wonder if this is being confused with the idiom "the bees knees", which has the meaning of something being excellent or impressive. Question: What does it mean when saying: "get the cat doctored"? 50. Related phrases include the cats pajamas, bees knees, and canarys tusks. After all, it's fire that can hurt you, not ashes. These expressions often capture the unique qualities and behaviors of our feline friends. 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.". Web. 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. "The cat that got the cream," one of several common cat sayings in England, essentially means the same thing. You tell me. - L.W. Another way to say Cat's Pajamas? This should not be taken as evidence of any lack of moral turpitude on the part of the female of the species. 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! Refers to a person who is the best at what they do. 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 . Learn more. There was plenty of misinformation in the days following his death, much of it coming from the Hearst press machine. It is suggesting that they are being cat like in their behaviour. the lips. Which inexplicably reported that Ince was stricken unconscious while visiting Hearst at his upstate ranch. When shes not writing about animals, youll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (cats, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). Answer: It is common, as any cat owner will confirm, for cats to be sick or produce hairballs. Like. However, the term scaredy cat came later and is most often attributed to Dorothy Parker, who used the phrase in her 1933 story The Waltz. It means that someone, or something is highly impressive or enjoyable. you might say to someone on the quiet side. Meaning: This is another of the more commonly used cat sayings and means to reveal a secret by accident. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, this phrase is attested from 1760 and probably comes from the French expression acheter chat en poche, buy a cat in a bag. This is in contrast with the saying buy a pig in a poke, that is to buy something without looking at it or knowing its true value. Ben Reed (author) from Redcar on November 26, 2017: Thank you. 22 Popular Cat Sayings. Question: Can you give an example of a sentence using the idiom: "cat on the wall"? If you think something is "the cat's meow," it means you think it is excellent, wonderful, really great. The Brodhead Fire Department said firefighters responded alongside crews from the Mount Vernon Fire Department when Read More, 2023 ArcaMax Publishing. I have also heard this said to imply that a person is shirking their responsibilities. With my claws." she waved the long, blunt tips of her fingers at me. All kitten aside, cat puns are the best puns. . 8 Reasons for This Behavior. "Oh, yes," meowed Ravenpaw, raising his voice. Have a mice day! (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. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! #8 - the cat's meow. 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. n. # excellence. This expression refers to an impossible task. Its been a hundred years since these words were part of the everyday American lexicon. Despite costing a small fortune the picture was a smashing success. Mouthpiece a lawyer, especially a criminal lawyer, 21. 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. Featured Image Credit: islam zarat, Shutterstock, How Do Cats Show Affection? Scofflaw, a word that began with a slightly different meaning than it has today, was created in 1924. Have any other phrases from the 1920s? When the Cats Away, the Mice Will Play. "This gal is too old for a baby-sitter and too young for a motel. The sayings are: 1) the bats knee. Elinor Glyn: [in the car leaving the dock in San Diego] I am not here. Likened to the children's game "cat's cradle." Charlie Chaplin: So what are you doing next weekend? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. The phrase means that an idea was so cool there are no words to explain it. Cats have minced their way through many a proverb since at least the 1500s. Charlie Chaplin: Your shoe. It's true, we do have a lot of phrases that utilize our feline companions. you're the cat's meow phrase. Answer: This has the meaning that a person is being spiteful, or deliberately hurtful in their words or actions. For example, some think of cats as being cool, smart, handsome etc. Robot comes from the title of a play by the Czech writer Karel apek, R.U.R. 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. (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.). Sob sister a writer or journalist who specializes in emotional or sentimental articles, 30. They are likely to take advantage of the situation. The 1920s saw the first use of a large number of words associated with the film industry, beginning at the birth of the decade with cinemagoer, which has its first use in 1920. Purrhaps. The procedure is usually performed on kittens at around 4 months of age. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. If cats could send birthday cards well, they wouldnt. A cat's meow and cow's moo, I can recite them all. Cats have an incredible ability to mesmerize and confound. cat's whiskers # excellence. It's meaning changed to that used today sometime around the early 20th century. (Find grumpy cat. Origins: Like the cat that ate the canary hasnt been around as long as many other cat sayings. Question: What does "Starving like a cat in an empty house" mean? - Carol Bird, The San Francisco Chronicle, 13 January 1929. The Online Etymology Dictionary says it probably comes from cat-and-dog meaning inharmonious. Accessed 18 Apr. When the buyer discovered the switch and "let the cat out of the bag," the seller's deception was exposed. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Marion Davies: Nothing can happen this weekend. Answer: I have rarely come across this particular expression. They all relate in some way to the nervous or "jumpy" nature a cat displays when it is stressed or anxious. In the home, these incidents often occur on the carpet. 2022 Great Pet Media. Charlie Chaplin: [Looking at the note] Yeah, but I didn't get Thomas Ince's blood on it! Didn't find what you need? Said about someone who is very scared or easily frightened. There aren't any specific idioms or phrases that I am aware of that explain this definitively. Lumley's zingers as Glyn cut right through the hypocritical grease. 38. Are some of these kitty puns ap-paw-lingly cheesy? Meaning: To be very upset or worried about something. Synonyms [ edit] the bee's knees cat's meow dog's bollocks all that and a bag of chips spider's ankles (Ireland) ant's pants (Australia) Translations [ edit] fancy example References [ edit] Look Like the Cat That Swallowed the Canary. This is the whisper told most often. Little evidence exists now or existed at the time to support any version of those weekend events. - It's raining cats and dogs - The dog, an attendant of the storm king Odin, was a symbol of wind. This is a way of saying that you are fed up or annoyed with yourself. Hint: alley cat.) Are you able to confirm which is correct? Soon, a woman who gossiped about other women was said to be making "catty" remarks about them. ( idiomatic) A highly sought-after and fancy example of something, usually referring to inanimate objects . The cat's meow. Learn a new word every day. Which means that if these cats drink milk it can result in vomiting. Now youre on the trolly to understand or catch on, 22. 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. 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. What You Need to Know. How to use the cat's meow in a sentence. The 1920s also saw the birth of gas station (1925), license plate (1924), and driver's license (1926). [out of voiceover, as Elinor on the deck] Come on everybody! How dare you called me a ninnyhammer you pillock! "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." These expressions often embody the unique traits and behaviors of cats, from their curiosity to their independence. Alwyn-Schmidt, in Color Trade Journal, 1921. When your feline friend has a punny name, you get to giggle every day. 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. I believe the expression you have heard is a way of saying that something is unpleasant and messy. 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). Care killed the cat is from around the same time. 1980s: Herding and more swinging cowboys herding cats The phrase herding cats trying to control something unwieldy is from the mid-1980s. The cat's meow. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20cat%27s%20meow. Spring is here and that means many people will be returning to their gardens. Beggars never feed stray cats as street cats are self-sustaining. Sense: A way of saying that you should be efficient. By the end of the decade robotic (1928) had also been adopted. "I was having coffee with a friend the other day and not feeling terribly communicative and she asked me 'Cat got your tongue?' Answer: This is correct. Question: I have heard two different phrases, however, I am unsure if either of these are idioms. One goose, two geese. See more ideas about wet cat food, quotes, cats. However there was no coverage in the press, no police action, and of the fourteen passengers on board only one was ever questioned by authorities. It is similar to the phase "to skate on thin ice". Then some friends arrive". 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 . Can we call a funny friend a crazy cat? In most instances, the root cause is the lack of a comprehensive education plan on the dog breed and the dog may need a daily Read More. 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. Want more animal words and phrases? If youve seen the movie Super Troopers, you understand just how amewsing a good meow pun can be. 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. Saying "very naughty kitty", in a cutsie voice will still have the cat purring. What is this referring too? apek's play is a bleak look at a society populated with mechanical workers, the titular robots which have been created from synthetic matter. You've cat to be kitten me right meow. 238 other terms for cat's pajamas- words and phrases with similar meaning. 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." Very cute. I think that there is such much fun to be had from language and the way we speak. "Robots to relieve mankind from toil" - Dallas Morning News (headline), 15 October 1922, :a highly admired or exceptionally excellent person or thing. I am familiar with the expression "to see which way the cat jumps" which means to wait and see what happens or transpires.
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