• CATFACE
n. 1. 1952 Amer. dial., chiefly African-American – a wrinkle or pucker left on a garment when ironed improperly
n. 2. 1966 Amer. dial. – mushrooms that grow out like brackets from the sides of trees
n. 3. 1973 Amer. dial. – the pattern of cracks that develop naturally on a tomato around the stem
• CAT FEATHERS
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – soft rolls of dust that collect on the floor under beds or other furniture
• CATFIGHT
n. 1981 Amer. dial. – the most informal of occasions; one requiring the least dressing-up
• CATFISH
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – one who talks too much, or too loud
• CATFISH CLOUD
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a long trailing cloud in the sky
• CATFISH ROW
n. 1937 Amer. dial. – a section of a town where Black residents live
• CAT FIT
n. 1895 Amer. dial. – a burst of joy, or, more often, anger; a conniption fit
• CAT FUR, DID YOU EVER SEE IT ON DOGS
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CAT FUR TO MAKE KITTEN BRITCHES
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CATGUT
n. 1. 1924 Amer. dial. – bad whisky; rotgut
n. 2. 1961 Amer. dial. – a rawhide rope
• CATGUT-SCRAPER
n. 18C colloq., jocular usage – a fiddler
• CAT HAIR
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – money
• CAT-HAMMED
adj. 1. 1695 – of animals: having crooked hind legs, so that the hocks knock together in walking
adj. 2. 1746 Eng. dial. – awkward, clumsy, fumbling, without dexterity
• CATHEAD
n. 1. 1930 Amer. dial. – a biscuit, esp. a large one
n. 2. 1950s US sl. – a fool
n. 3. 1966 Amer. dial. – the last piece of food left on a plate
• CATHEADS
n. E19 sl. – the female breasts
• CATHEDRAL
adj. L17 sl. – antique, ancient, out-of-date
• CATHERINE HAYES
n. M19 Aust. – a drink made of claret, sugar and nutmeg/orange
• CATHERINE WHEEL
n. L19 sl. – the vagina
• CAT HIDE
n. 1970 Amer. dial. – a paper dollar
• CATHLEEN MAVOUREEN SYSTEM
n. 1920s sl. – hire purchase
• CATHOLE
n. 1842 Amer. dial. – a deep place in a river, creek, pond, etc.
• CAT-HOP
n. 1949 Amer. dial. – mild bucking of a horse
• CAT-HOUSE
n. 1. 1931 sl. – a brothel
n. 2. World War II Amer. sl. – a garage for a tractor or similar vehicle
• CATHUMP!
int. Bk1891 Amer. sl. – intended to convey an imitation of the sound of a falling body
• CAT ICE
n. 1884 – thin ice of a milky white appearance in shallow places, from under which the water has receded
• CATIFAWGUS
adj. c1960 Amer. dial. – askew, awry, out of kilter
• CATILLATE
vb. 1623 obs. – to lick dishes
• CAT IN A BAG
n. 1950 Amer. dial. – something one buys or trades without being able to see it; hence, something to be wary of
• CAT IN A SACK
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – something one buys or trades without being able to see it; hence, something to be wary of
• CAT IN THE BAG
n. 1950 Amer. dial. – something one buys or trades without being able to see it; hence, something to be wary of
• CATISH
adj. 1890 Amer. dial. – fine, elegant, stylish; beautiful
• CAT JABBER
n. World War II Amer. sl. – a bayonet
• CAT LICK
n. 1960 Amer. dial., often derogatory – a Catholic
• CAT-LICKER
n. 1965 Amer. dial. , often derogatory – a Catholic
• A CAT MAY LOOK AT A KING
phr. 1562 – there are certain things which an inferior may do in the presence of a superior
• CAT MEWING
n. 1851 Amer. dial. obs. – a catcall
• CAT-MIRER
n. 1970 Amer. dial. – a very heavy rain
• CATNIP FIT
n. 1905 Amer. dial. – a conniption fit; a fit of anger
• CATOOCH
n. 1899 Amer. dial. – a cartridge box
• CATOUSE
n. 1890 Amer. dial. – an uproar, a commotion, a din, tumult, rumpus, row, disturbance
• CAT PAW
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – a dupe, a stooge; one who does dirty work for someone else
• CAT PAW PLANT
n. 1977 Amer. dial. – ground ivy
• CAT PAWS
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – balls of dust
• CAT POISON
n. 1930 Amer. dial. – meanness
• CAT-RAN-THROUGH-THE-GARRET RELATION
n. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a distant relative
• THE CAT’S
n. 1919 US sl. – an excellent person or thing
• THE CAT’S ADENOIDS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CATS AND KEYS
n. 1695 Eng. dial. – the fruit of the ash tree
• CAT’S ASS
n. 1. 1967 Amer. dial., derogatory – a self-important person
n. 2. 1967 Amer. dial. – a hickey
• THE CAT’S ASS
n. 1967 sl., orig. US – an excellent person or thing
• THE CAT’S BALLS
n. 1962 sl., orig. US – an excellent person or thing
• THE CAT’S CRADLE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• THE CAT’S CUFFLINKS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT SENSE
n. 1963 Amer. dial. – common sense
• THE CAT’S EYEBROWS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S FACE
n. 1. 1900 Amer. dial. – a violet
n. 2. 1952 Amer. dial., chiefly African-American usage – a wrinkle or pucker left on a garment when ironed improperly
• THE CAT’S FALLEN ARCHES
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S FIDDLE
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CAT’S FOOT
int. 1877 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of disbelief, contempt, dissent, or disapproval
n. 1876 Amer. dial. – ground ivy
• CAT’S FUR
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CAT’S FUR, EVER SEE IT ON PUPPIES
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CAT’S FUR ON A PUMPHANDLE
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CAT’S FUR TO MAKE KITTEN BRITCHES
phr. 1. 1942 Amer. dial. – a nonsensical reply to a child’s question, “What’s that for”, esp. when ‘for’ is pronounced ‘fur’
phr. 2. 1965 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CAT’S FUR TO MAKE KITTEN BRITCHES, DO YOU WANT THE FIRST PAIR
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• CAT’S FUR TO MAKE WHISTLE BRITCHES
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – said to a child when he asks “What are you making?”
• THE CAT’S GALOSHES
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S GAME
n. 1950 Amer. dial. – a tied game of tic-tac-toe
• CAT’S-HEADS
n. 1891 Amer. sl. – a woman’s breasts
• CAT’S HIND FOOT!
int. 1939 Amer. dial. – an exclamation of disbelief, contempt, dissent, or disapproval
• CAT’S ICE
n. 1884 – thin ice of a milky white appearance in shallow places, from under which the water has receded
• THE CAT’S INSTEPS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S JUMP
n. 1959 Amer. dial. – a short distance
• CAT’S-KEYS
n. 1695 – the fruit of the ash tree
• CAT-SKIN
n. M19 university usage – an academical hood
• CAT-SLEEP
n. 1837 – a catnap
• CAT’S LIGHT
n. 1959 Amer. dial. – twilight
• CAT’S MEAT
n. 19C Brit. sl. – the female genitals
• THE CAT’S MEOW
n. 1921 sl., orig. US – an excellent person or thing
• CATS’ NEST
n. 1912 Amer. dial. – a house of ill repute
• CAT-SNIFTER
n. 1867 Eng. dial. – a very short space of time
• THE CAT’S NIGHTSHIRT
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S NOUNS!
int. 18C – an oath of avoidance; By God’s wounds!
• THE CAT’S NUTS
n. 1928 sl., orig. US – an excellent person or thing
• CATSO
int. 1708 sl. obs. – an exclamation; What! God forbid!
n. 1. 1602 sl. obs. – a base fellow; a rogue, rascal, scamp
n. 2. 1702 sl. obs. – the penis
• CATSOOD
adj. 20C Brit. military sl. – drunk; drunk on four sous (French quatre sous)
• THE CAT’S PAJAMAS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S-PAW
n. 1. 1769 nautical usage – a small patch of ripple on the water from a slight breeze
n. 2. 1785 – one who is used by another to accomplish his purposes; a dupe, a tool
n. 3. 1821 – that which comes down like the paw of a cat upon its victim
n. 4. 1876 Amer. dial. – ground ivy
n. 5. 19C nautical usage – good-looking seamen employed to entice volunteers
• THE CAT’S PYJAMAS
n. 1922 sl., orig. US – an excellent person or thing
• CAT-SQUIRREL
n. 1882 Eng. dial. – the common squirrel
• THE CAT’S ROLLER SKATES
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S SLEEP
n. 1827 – a sham sleep
• CAT STABBER
n. Bk2004 Amer. World War I sl. – a bayonet
• CAT’S TAIL
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – a tied game of tic-tac-toe
• CAT’S TAILS
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – balls of dust
• CATSTEP
n. 1939 Amer. dial. – a small terrace on a hill
vb. 1955 Amer. dial. – to walk quietly
• CATSTICK
n. 1832 Amer. dial. – a piece of kindling
• CAT-STITCHED
adj. 1967 Amer. dial. – poorly sewn
• THE CAT’S TONSILS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT STOOL
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a mushroom that grows out like brackets from the sides of trees
• CAT’S TRACK
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a light fall of snow
• THE CAT’S TWISTER
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• CAT’S UNCLE
n. 1936 Amer. dial. – a criminal
• CAT’S WATER
n. 1849 sl. – gin
• CAT’S WHISKER; CAT’S WHISKERS
n. c1950 Amer. dial. – a person who feels important
• THE CAT’S WHISKER
n. 1923 US sl. – someone or something that is splendid or stylish; the height of excellence
• THE CAT’S WHISKERS
n. 1923 sl., orig. US – an excellent person or thing
• CATTA-CORNER
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – out of line, askew, awry
adv. 1905 Amer. dial. – diagonally, across from
• CATTA-CORNERED
adv. 1905 Amer. dial. – diagonally, across from
• CATTAIL
n. 1. 1959 Amer. dial. – ground ivy
n. 2. 1966 Amer. dial. – a small running stream, smaller than a creek
• CAT TAILS
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – balls of dust
• CATTAWAMPUS
adj. 1884 Amer. dial. – askew, awry, wrong
• CATTER
n. 1. 1916 tramps’ sl. – a tramp who clings to the outside of railway cars
n. 2. 1916 Amer. dial. – a woman-chaser
vb. 1902 Amer. dial. – to move diagonally or obliquely
• CATTER-BATTER
n. 1825 – a broil, a quarrel → Sc.
vb. 1825 – to wrangle good-humouredly → Sc.
• CATTERCORNER
adv. 1905 Amer. dial. – diagonally, across from
• CATTER-CORNERED
adj. 1901 Amer. dial. – diagonal, in the opposite corner
• CATTERING
adv. 1894 Amer. dial. – diagonally
• CATTERWAMPUS
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – askew, awry, wrong
vb. 1902 Amer. dial. – to move diagonally
• CATTIBIAS
adj. 1950 Amer. dial. – out of line, askew, awry, diagonal
adv. 1950 Amer. dial. – diagonally
• CATTICORNER
adj. 1949 Amer. dial. – diagonal, in the opposite corner
• CATTICORNERED
adj. 1950 Amer. dial. – out of line, askew, awry
adv. 1950 Amer. dial. – diagonally, across from
• CATTIE
n. 1988 UK sl. – a mail-order catalogue
• CATTING CLOTHES
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – a person’s best clothes
• CATTIWAMPUS
adj. 1950 Amer. dial. – askew, awry, wrong
adv. 1950 Amer. dial. – diagonally, obliquely
• CATTLE
n. 1. 1673 sl. – people
n. 2. 1677 sl. – women who are prostitutes
n. 3. 1821 sl. – in horse racing: racehorses
n. 4. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a term of contempt
n. 5. E20 US criminals’ sl. – women in general
vb. L17 Brit. sl. – to coit
• CATTLE BOAT
n. 1. 1944 – a troop transport ship → US military sl.
n. 2. 1970 – a party boat → US commercial fishermen’s jargon
• CATTLE CALL
n. 1952 – in theatre and film: a casting call; also, a mass audition → US sl.
• CATTLE DOG
n. 1. 1984 – a catalogue → Aust. sl.
n. 2. 1998 – a Catholic school student → NZ sl.
• CATTLE-MILL
vb. 1916 – to go round in a circle, as cattle in a herd do → Amer. dial.
• CATTLE-TRUCK
n. 20C – an act of copulation → rhyming sl. for ‘fuck’
vb. 20C – to coit → rhyming sl. for ‘fuck’
• CAT-TONGUE
n. 1912 – a very long and slender small oyster → Amer. dial.
• CAT TRACK
n. 1919 – any eye disease → Amer. dial.
• CAT-TRACKER
n. 1967 – a light fall of snow → Amer. dial.
• CAT-TRACKING SNOW
n. 1967 – a light fall of snow → Amer. dial.
• CATTY
adj. 1. 1918 – stylish; well-dressed → Amer. dial.
adj. 2. 1939 – spry, agile, active, lively → Amer. dial.
n. 1958 – an expert in logging jobs → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-BIAS
adj. 1968 – out of line, askew, awry, diagonal → Amer. dial.
adv. 1965 – diagonally → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-BICEY
adv. 1965 – diagonally → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-BYWARD
adj. 1952 – diagonal → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-CORNED
adj. 1965 – out of line, askew, awry → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-CORNER
adj. 1. 1884 – out of sorts, ill-tempered, annoyed, upset → Amer. dial.
adj. 2. 1945 – diagonal, in the opposite corner; askew, awry → Amer. dial.
adj. 3. 1969 – triangular → Amer. dial.
adv. 1905 – diagonally, across from → Amer. dial.
vb. 1965 – to move diagonally → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-CORNERED
adj. 1. 1838 – diagonal, in the opposite corner; askew, awry → Amer. dial.
adj. 2. 1954 – out of sorts, ill-tempered, annoyed, upset → Amer. dial.
adj. 3. 1954 – triangular → Amer. dial.
adv. 1905 – diagonally, across from → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-CORNERS
adj. 1965 – out of line, askew, awry → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-CROSS
adv. 1970 – diagonally → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-CUE
adj. 1967 – askew, awry, out of line → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-GODLIN
adj. 1967 – askew, awry, out of line → Amer. dial.
adv. 1967 – diagonally → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-KER-WAMPUS
adj. 1959 – leaning, out of line, askew, awry → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-STRANGLING
adv. 1936 – diagonally across → Amer. dial.
• CATTY TAIL
n. 1967 – a whip, probably imaginary, used to threaten children and make them behave → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWAMP
adj. 1965 – askew, awry, wrong → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWAMPERED
adj. 1. 1911 – crosswise, diagonal → Amer. dial.
adj. 2. 1965 – askew, awry, wrong → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWAMPING
adj. 1965 – askew, awry, wrong → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWAMPUS
adj. 1. 1911 – askew, awry, wrong → Amer. dial.
adj. 2. 1911 – crosswise, diagonal → Amer. dial.
adv. 1965 – diagonally, obliquely → Amer. dial.
n. 1941 – an imaginary monster; a hobgoblin → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-WATTY
n. 1870 – rubbish, nonsense → Eng. dial.
• CATTY-WAYS
adv. 1966 – diagonally → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-WEST
adv. 1941 – crookedly → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWHAMPER
adv. 1965 – diagonally, obliquely → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWHAMPERED TO
adv. 1965 – diagonally, obliquely → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWHAMPUS
adj. 1965 – askew, awry, wrong → Amer. dial.
adv. 1965 – diagonally, obliquely → Amer. dial.
• CATTY-WHISTLING
adv. 1967 – diagonally → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWHOMPY
adv. 1970 – diagonally, obliquely → Amer. dial.
• CATTYWOBBLE
adv. 1970 – diagonally, obliquely → Amer. dial.
• CAT WAGON
n. 1916 – a travelling brothel; a wagon that carried women of easy virtue who plied their trade along the cattle trials or on the range → Amer. dial.
• CAT WALK
n. 1960 – a strutting style of walking, intended to emphasize one’s pride, independence, and masculinity → African-American sl.
• CATWANKER
n. 1990 – a general term of derision → sl.
• CAT-WEST
adv. 1946 – into disarray, confusion, or destruction → Amer. dial.
• CAT-WHIPPER
n. 20C – one who whinges over their misfortunes → Aust. sl.
• CAT-WITTED
adj. 1673 – small-minded, obstinate, and spiteful; silly and conceited; harebrained, whimsical
• CATY-CORNER
adv. 1941 – diagonally, across from → Amer. dial.
• CATZERIE
n. L16 – roguery → sl.
• CATZO
n. 1. ..E17 – a rogue; a ne’er-do-well → Brit. sl.
n. 2. ..17C – the penis → Brit.
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Lexicophilia 