Lily, Sophie, and I trust that you and your feline friends came through the hustle-bustle of the holidays unscathed. In fact, let’s hope it was the cat’s pajamas.
What does that mean? Those of you born after 1970 have probably never heard the term, “the cat’s pajamas,” unless you’re into reading old novels or watching movies set in the 1920s. Then you may have come across the term. But do you know what it means?
It seems that the term became popular in the 1920s to compliment someone’s stylish way of dressing. It might also be used to describe a successful event or occurrence.
I’ve heard the term over the years—probably from my grandparent. Evidently, the term “pajamas” was a new in the 1920s and the word “cat” was being applied to flappers of the era.
But there are many other cat-related idioms—some quite familiar and some quite unusual and unexpected. You’ve probably heard these terms: “Catcall,” “Catnap,” “The cat’s meow,” “Catty,” “Glamour Puss,” “Cat got your tongue?” “Let the cat out of the bag,” “Weak as a kitten,” “Look what the cat dragged in,” and “As nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
I found a site with these and about sixty other phrases all related to the cat. Check it out
Lily searching for her gift–catnip, maybe?
and see how many of these are new to you. http://user.xmission.com/~emailbox/phrases.htm
So was your holiday the cat’s meow? Were you busier than a one-eyed cat watching two mouse holes? Hopefully, you didn’t have a guest who behaved like a bag of cats. And all of your guests were grinning, after your wonderful meal, like a Cheshire cat.
