The cat s pajamas or pyjamas depending on whether you re writing in american and british english means basically a really good thing or sometimes a really good new thing i m not sure where that first answerer got their information but the word has been around since the 1920 s definitely not the late 1700 s.
Cat s pajamas phrase.
The phrase became popular in the u s.
Definition of cat s pyjamas in the idioms dictionary.
In the 1920s the word cat was used as a term to describe the unconventional flappers from the jazz era.
In the 1920s along with the bee s knees the cat s whiskers possibly from the use of these in radio crystal sets.
Cat s pajamas something or someone highly enjoyable desirable or impressive especially in a fancy or elaborate way.
Boy that singer last night was the cat s pajamas wasn t she.
Tom s new cadillac is really the cat s pajamas.
The cat s pajamas was a phrase that was commonly used by flappers themselves sometimes called cats a derogatory term not to be confused with men of the same period being called cats which meant cool.
This has been used as a term of excellence both in the 1920s and up until today but differs from the other flapper era expressions in that as well as a literal reference to the whiskers of a cat it was the name of the thin tuning wires on early crystal.
American cartoonist thomas aloysius tad dorgan is often credited with coining this colorful phrase which is used to refer to someone or something wonderful or remarkable.
Primarily heard in us south africa.
Cat s pyjamas uk etymology.
A slang phrase coined by thomas a.
In the 1920s the word cat was used as a term to describe the unconventional flappers from the jazz era.
The origin of cats pajamas.
Boy that singer last night was the cat s pajamas wasn t she.
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In the 1920s the word cat was used as a term to describe the unconventional flappers from the jazz era.
A slang phrase coined by thomas a.
English alternative forms.
Tom s new cadillac is really the cat s pajamas.
The cat s pajamas is a nonsense phrase but there is some sense behind it.
Also used to describe another person who is genial and fun to be with.
There is a related cat expression the cat s whiskers.
The phrase became popular in the u s.
What does cat s pyjamas expression mean.
Dorgan the phrase became popular in the u s.
This term has been recently popularized by the movie the school of rock.
An adjective used by hipsters of the 1920 s to describe a person who is the best at what they do.
In the 1920s along with the bee s knees and the cat s whiskers.
Definitions by the largest idiom dictionary.