Animal Etymology: Cat Words
In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.
Saturdays are perfect days for feline surprises. Surprise—we’re talking about words related to cats today!
Those who claim it’s a cat’s world and we just live in it will find ample support in the English language. Words influenced by or referencing our fair felines abound:
feline (adj) - of, like, or pertaining to cats
BREAKDOWN: FELI- (cat) + -INE (of or like)
—a feline or felid is a cat or more broadly any member of the genus Felidae
Felidae encompasses far more than basic housecats. All of the world’s wild cats fall into this category. That said, our vocabulary seems to have unsurprisingly been influenced most by the felines who best tolerate us:
caterwaul (verb) - to make a wailing howl or cry like a cat at night
—caterwaul is also the term for a wailing yowl, howl, screech, or crycatty (adj) - spiteful, malicious, or unkind
catnap (noun) - a brief daytime nap
copycat (noun) - someone who exactly imitates or mimics the appearance, manner, or actions of another
catwalk (noun) - a narrow bridge often suspended high above a stage or site; the long, narrow stage of a fashion show
lionize (verb) - to treat someone as a very important or famous
purr (verb) - to make a low vibratory sound, often as an expression of contentment
BONUS: tomcat and cougar are both terms for, respectively, men and women out on the prowl for lascivious or promiscuous purposes
What cat words did we miss?
“Cats know how to obtain food without labor, shelter without confinement, and love without penalties.” —W. L. George