noun General Slang

The Cat's Meow

/ðə ˌkæts ˈmiˈaʊ/ · noun · slang

The gold standard of Twenties praise, the most stylish, splendid thing going.

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Definitions

1

An exclamation of delight and approval.

“A free ticket to the show? The cat's meow!”
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2

Used of a fashionable, impressive person.

“In that tuxedo he was the cat's meow all evening.”
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3

Something or someone outstanding, stylish, and admirable; the height of excellence.

“Her new bob haircut is the cat's meow.”
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The Cat's Meow In A Sentence

This roadster is the cat's meow, sleek as anything.
She thinks her new beau is the cat's meow.
The whole party agreed the band was the cat's meow.

Origin & Usage

1920s American slang, part of the 'cat's' family of superlatives including 'the cat's pajamas' and 'the cat's whiskers'. Cartoonist Thomas A. Dorgan (TAD) is often credited with popularizing several such phrases, though the specific coinage is hard to pin to one person.

Variants cat's meowcat's pajamascat's whiskers
Tags #1920s#flapper#jazz-age#vintage#approval

People Also Ask

What does the cat's meow mean?

It means something is excellent, stylish, or the very best.

Where did the cat's meow come from?

It is 1920s slang; cartoonist Tad Dorgan is often credited with the 'cat's' superlatives, but the exact origin is uncertain.

What's the difference between the cat's meow and the cat's pajamas?

There is none of substance, both were interchangeable Jazz Age ways to praise something as the best.

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