cat's whisker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “cat's whisker” mean?
The extremely fine, sensitive whisker of a cat, or an old-fashioned radio component.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The extremely fine, sensitive whisker of a cat, or an old-fashioned radio component.
An informal term meaning the best or most perfect thing of its kind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the phrase "the cat's whiskers/pyjamas" figuratively. UK usage slightly favours 'pyjamas' spelling; US favours 'pajamas'. Both are equally low-frequency.
Connotations
Playful, dated, mildly emphatic praise.
Frequency
Rare in modern speech, occasionally found in writing for stylistic or humorous effect.
Grammar
How to Use “cat's whisker” in a Sentence
[Subject] is the cat's whiskers.This new gadget is the absolute cat's whisker!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cat's whisker” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- It was a cat's-whisker adjustment.
American English
- It was a cat's whisker adjustment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Uncommon; if used, denotes high praise for a product or idea.
Academic
Rare to non-existent except in historical or linguistic study.
Everyday
Informal, used for humorous or emphatic praise among older generations.
Technical
Historical term for the thin wire used as a detector in early crystal radios.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cat's whisker”
- Using 'cat whisker' (singular) instead of the possessive 'cat's whisker' for the idiom.
- Applying the idiom in overly formal contexts.
- Misspelling 'whisker' as 'whisper'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The literal term is standard. The idiom 'the cat's whiskers/pyjamas' is dated and used primarily for humorous or nostalgic effect.
They are essentially synonymous idioms meaning 'the best.' 'Cat's pyjamas' is perhaps slightly more common in the US, but both are interchangeable.
Yes, in the history of electronics, it refers to the thin wire used as a contact point in a crystal radio detector.
No, it is complimentary, though it may sound quaint or old-fashioned.
The extremely fine, sensitive whisker of a cat, or an old-fashioned radio component.
Cat's whisker is usually informal in register.
Cat's whisker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæts ˌwɪs.kə(ɹ)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæts ˌwɪs.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He thinks his new car is the cat's whiskers.”
- “That invention was the cat's whisker in its day.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cat's perfect, delicate whisker – the idiom means 'the perfect thing.'
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCELLENCE IS A FELINE VIBRISSA (A delicate, precise, and superior feature).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of the idiom 'the cat's whiskers'?