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The Colloquial Cat: How Cats Got Our Tongue in 55 Fabulous Phrases
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26From grinning like a Cheshire cat to raining cats and dogs, 55 popular phrases capture the charm, quirk, and history of the incomparable cat—and the English language
Cats have a curious way of sneaking into our lives—and our lexicon. It all started 11,000 years ago: Early farmers had a mouse problem, and local wildcats were happy to oblige. They got the cream, and the rest was history!
Philippa Sandall explores all in The Colloquial Cat: Why do we say the cat’s pajamas, and who was the first cat burglar? She finds purring in Shakespeare, caterwauling in Chaucer, and scaredy-cat in Dorothy Parker. Amid these etymological gems, we meet cat lovers throughout the ages: Emperor Uda of Japan, poet Christopher Smart, and an unknown ninth-century monk—all inspired to immortalize their beloved cat companions in writing.
“The Factual Cat” adds scientific insight throughout, from the source of cats’ amazing nighttime vision to their unrivaled prowess as hunters. Rich in feline fable and lore, The Colloquial Cat is sure to delight “cat people” and word lovers alike!
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Philippa Sandall
21 books1 followerPhilippa Sandall is a writer, editorial consultant, and coauthor of the bestselling New Glucose Revolution series and Seafurrers blog.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Colloquial Cat is the third work of feline literature by Australian author, Philippa Sandall. Subtitled “How Cats Got Out Tongue in 55 Fabulous Phrases”, it explores some of the myriad of instances where cats have found a place in everyday language. Sandall divides her work into five sections: Proverbial Cats, Etymological Cats, Metaphorical Cats, Idiomatic Cats, and one Hypothetical Cat (Schrodinger’s).
Each section has examples, some of which no reader can fail to recognise, others which might be a bit less known. She then gives the accepted meaning of the phrase, the origins and earliest usage, where known, which might include quotes from literature, and rounds it off with some interesting background fact or facts. Throughout, there are artworks by Theophile Alexandre Steinen and Louis William Wain.
There some accurate, often wry, observations on animal behaviour, and while the meanings of some will be obvious, others will be less intuitive, more subtle, or even obscure. There are some (groan-worthy) non-feline puns, and doubtless a few surprises. All of this absorbing material is supported with a comprehensive bibliography, notes that include references, and a very handy index to each phrase. Fascinating for lovers of cats and of language.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and The Experiment.
Each section has examples, some of which no reader can fail to recognise, others which might be a bit less known. She then gives the accepted meaning of the phrase, the origins and earliest usage, where known, which might include quotes from literature, and rounds it off with some interesting background fact or facts. Throughout, there are artworks by Theophile Alexandre Steinen and Louis William Wain.
There some accurate, often wry, observations on animal behaviour, and while the meanings of some will be obvious, others will be less intuitive, more subtle, or even obscure. There are some (groan-worthy) non-feline puns, and doubtless a few surprises. All of this absorbing material is supported with a comprehensive bibliography, notes that include references, and a very handy index to each phrase. Fascinating for lovers of cats and of language.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and The Experiment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: The Colloquial Cat: How Cats Got Our Tongue in 55 Fabulous Phrases
Rating: ★★★★☆
A purr-fect little book for cat people and word nerds
I was charmed by The Colloquial Cat: How Cats Got Our Tongue in 55 Fabulous Phrases from the moment I saw its wonderfully whimsical cover. Philippa Sandall’s book is a breezy, highly readable tour through fifty-five expressions involving cats. From “grinning like a Cheshire cat” to “raining cats and dogs,” with stops along the way for “the cat’s pajamas,” “cat burglar,” and plenty of other linguistic curiosities.
Each entry is neatly organized: the phrase appears first, followed by a quick explanation, literary examples, and an exploration of its possible origins. Most of the sayings were familiar to me, but Sandall makes even well-worn expressions feel fresh by digging into their histories and showing how cats have threaded their way through English for centuries. Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Dorothy Parker all make appearances, alongside cat enthusiasts ranging from a Japanese emperor and the poet Christopher Smart to a mystery-loving ninth-century monk.
I especially enjoyed the glimpses of feline history behind the language. The story begins thousands of years ago, when wildcats started hanging around early farming communities to take advantage of plentiful rodents—and humans apparently decided these efficient little hunters were worth keeping around. From there, cats moved comfortably from barns and households into books, poems, folklore, and everyday speech.
Most sections also include a red-highlighted feature called “The Factual Cat,” which adds scientific details connected to the phrase at hand. These asides cover everything from cats’ exceptional night vision to their astonishing hunting abilities, providing a nice balance to the etymology and literary references.
The book is made even more appealing by its vintage illustrations, including artwork by Théophile Steinlen and Louis Wain. With its playful tone, compact entries, and mix of language, history, science, and cat lore, this would make an excellent gift for anyone who has ever shared a home with a cat, or simply suspects that English is more entertaining when it has whiskers. A delightful read!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: ★★★★☆
A purr-fect little book for cat people and word nerds
I was charmed by The Colloquial Cat: How Cats Got Our Tongue in 55 Fabulous Phrases from the moment I saw its wonderfully whimsical cover. Philippa Sandall’s book is a breezy, highly readable tour through fifty-five expressions involving cats. From “grinning like a Cheshire cat” to “raining cats and dogs,” with stops along the way for “the cat’s pajamas,” “cat burglar,” and plenty of other linguistic curiosities.
Each entry is neatly organized: the phrase appears first, followed by a quick explanation, literary examples, and an exploration of its possible origins. Most of the sayings were familiar to me, but Sandall makes even well-worn expressions feel fresh by digging into their histories and showing how cats have threaded their way through English for centuries. Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Dorothy Parker all make appearances, alongside cat enthusiasts ranging from a Japanese emperor and the poet Christopher Smart to a mystery-loving ninth-century monk.
I especially enjoyed the glimpses of feline history behind the language. The story begins thousands of years ago, when wildcats started hanging around early farming communities to take advantage of plentiful rodents—and humans apparently decided these efficient little hunters were worth keeping around. From there, cats moved comfortably from barns and households into books, poems, folklore, and everyday speech.
Most sections also include a red-highlighted feature called “The Factual Cat,” which adds scientific details connected to the phrase at hand. These asides cover everything from cats’ exceptional night vision to their astonishing hunting abilities, providing a nice balance to the etymology and literary references.
The book is made even more appealing by its vintage illustrations, including artwork by Théophile Steinlen and Louis Wain. With its playful tone, compact entries, and mix of language, history, science, and cat lore, this would make an excellent gift for anyone who has ever shared a home with a cat, or simply suspects that English is more entertaining when it has whiskers. A delightful read!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Colloquial Cat by Philippa Sandall is short, easy to read book that covers fifty-five phrases involving our favorite felines. Most of them were familiar to me and the new-to-me ones were most likely due to the fact that Sandall is from Australia.
As staff to many, many cats over the years, this book immediately piqued my interest. Add in the fact that word and phrase origins are intriguing and I was sold. This falls into the category of what used to be known as "bathroom readers" - books with short entries that you could easily read while otherwise occupied on the loo.
Each entry starts with the phrase to be covered and a brief definition. One or two examples of the phrase from literature follow before a discussion section that goes into the possible origin of the phrase. Most entries end with a red boxed element named The Factual Cat which often refers to scientific research that relates to the phrase in question. For example, for "A cat always lands on his feet" entry, the author points out the physical feline traits that make this true as well as an account from a NYC veterinarian of the extreme heights cats have fallen and survived.
The Colloquial Cat is illustrated with vintage art from Théophile Steinlen (a Swiss Art Nouveau painter and printmaker) and Louis Wain (an English artist best known for his anthropomorphized kittens and cats). While I'm sure the fact that the artworks are now in the public domain was a factor in choosing them, they do add a layer of whimsy to the volume.
It's no wonder that The Colloquial Cat is scheduled to be published on November 3rd. It's the perfect holiday gift for your favorite feline staff member.
4 lattes out of 5
Disclaimer: This ARC was provided by The Experiment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As staff to many, many cats over the years, this book immediately piqued my interest. Add in the fact that word and phrase origins are intriguing and I was sold. This falls into the category of what used to be known as "bathroom readers" - books with short entries that you could easily read while otherwise occupied on the loo.
Each entry starts with the phrase to be covered and a brief definition. One or two examples of the phrase from literature follow before a discussion section that goes into the possible origin of the phrase. Most entries end with a red boxed element named The Factual Cat which often refers to scientific research that relates to the phrase in question. For example, for "A cat always lands on his feet" entry, the author points out the physical feline traits that make this true as well as an account from a NYC veterinarian of the extreme heights cats have fallen and survived.
The Colloquial Cat is illustrated with vintage art from Théophile Steinlen (a Swiss Art Nouveau painter and printmaker) and Louis Wain (an English artist best known for his anthropomorphized kittens and cats). While I'm sure the fact that the artworks are now in the public domain was a factor in choosing them, they do add a layer of whimsy to the volume.
It's no wonder that The Colloquial Cat is scheduled to be published on November 3rd. It's the perfect holiday gift for your favorite feline staff member.
4 lattes out of 5
Disclaimer: This ARC was provided by The Experiment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The purr-fect book for cat and word lovers alike.
The Colloquial Cat takes a deep dive into the origins of 55 cat-centric phrases, from The Cat’s Meow to Grinning Like a Cheshire Cat.
Told through digestibly-sized chapters with hilarious historic photos and ads, this book had me captivated throughout. This book is the perfect conversation starter for coffee tables and bookshelves, charming even the most cat-averse people with its wit.
As a cat lover myself, I laughed out loud and was THAT person telling people facts from the end of each chapter because they’re so dang interesting. The longest cat whiskers ever recorded? You’ll find the answer in here!
Thank you to The Experiment and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
The Colloquial Cat takes a deep dive into the origins of 55 cat-centric phrases, from The Cat’s Meow to Grinning Like a Cheshire Cat.
Told through digestibly-sized chapters with hilarious historic photos and ads, this book had me captivated throughout. This book is the perfect conversation starter for coffee tables and bookshelves, charming even the most cat-averse people with its wit.
As a cat lover myself, I laughed out loud and was THAT person telling people facts from the end of each chapter because they’re so dang interesting. The longest cat whiskers ever recorded? You’ll find the answer in here!
Thank you to The Experiment and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
October 11, 2026
Fabulously whimsical , entertaining, educational and very sweet. This book would appeal to anyone who loves cats or the English language and its history, or if you’re like me and love both then you’ll find this an absolute delight.
The book is packed with dozens of sayings and expressions, more than you could ever imagine but all actually pleasingly familiar. This is accompanied by beautiful contemporary illustrations and bite sized information which is easy to pick up and put down. The research and references are exquisitely curated and the whole thing screams of being well put together and a labour of love. I was very honoured and humbled to read this and benefit from the author’s efforts. A definite recommend from me.
The book is packed with dozens of sayings and expressions, more than you could ever imagine but all actually pleasingly familiar. This is accompanied by beautiful contemporary illustrations and bite sized information which is easy to pick up and put down. The research and references are exquisitely curated and the whole thing screams of being well put together and a labour of love. I was very honoured and humbled to read this and benefit from the author’s efforts. A definite recommend from me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review from NetGalley
The Colloquial Cat presents a scholarly examination of feline-related idioms and their historical origins, making it an engaging resource for those interested in linguistic history and cultural context. The work traces the etymological development of well-known cat phrases, elucidating their meanings and cultural significance across time periods. The accompanying illustrations authentically depict cats within their respective historical settings, enhancing the reader's understanding of each phrase's contextual background.
The Colloquial Cat presents a scholarly examination of feline-related idioms and their historical origins, making it an engaging resource for those interested in linguistic history and cultural context. The work traces the etymological development of well-known cat phrases, elucidating their meanings and cultural significance across time periods. The accompanying illustrations authentically depict cats within their respective historical settings, enhancing the reader's understanding of each phrase's contextual background.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and 'The Experiment' for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
'The Colloquial Cat' is a fantastic book about the history of how cats have become part of our language.
I particularly like the metaphorical cats section and finding out how we've developed certain sayings over history!
I thoroughly recommend this book and found it incredibly interesting! A book for all cat and linguistics lovers!
Once again thank you to NetGalley and 'The Experiment' for providing me with a review copy of this text!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The Colloquial Cat' is a fantastic book about the history of how cats have become part of our language.
I particularly like the metaphorical cats section and finding out how we've developed certain sayings over history!
I thoroughly recommend this book and found it incredibly interesting! A book for all cat and linguistics lovers!
Once again thank you to NetGalley and 'The Experiment' for providing me with a review copy of this text!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
This book is definitely for those who love etymology and/or cats.
I enjoyed learning the history behind the cat-themed idioms I was already aware of while also learning more idioms to add to my lexicon.
Most fearfully, I learned that "faux fur" is often cat and/or dog hair.
But most of all, it was fun seeing that the love of cats in written form goes back so far in history!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC.
This book is definitely for those who love etymology and/or cats.
I enjoyed learning the history behind the cat-themed idioms I was already aware of while also learning more idioms to add to my lexicon.
Most fearfully, I learned that "faux fur" is often cat and/or dog hair.
But most of all, it was fun seeing that the love of cats in written form goes back so far in history!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An utterly charming book with terrific illustrations and intriguing explanations behind 55 cat-related phrases, such as "Cat got your tongue?" and "catnap," "cat burglar," and "playing cat and mouse." If you adore language and felines, you will adore this must-have book purr-fect for any cat lover. Meow!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I gave this 4 stars because it delivers perfectly on its premise without taking itself too seriously. If you've ever wondered where our cat-related phrases come from, this is a funny, semi-informative guide. It’s lighthearted rather than deeply academic, making it a brisk and enjoyable read. Plus, the illustrations are absolutely wonderful and bring a lot of charm to each of the 55 phrases.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As someone who loves cats and words, this was fantastic. I even learned some sayings about cats that were new to me, I loved all the sources that made this up. Because even though I'd heard a lot of these, I didn't know where the sayings came from. And the drawings! Such a charming collection of cat drawings with a few photos.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I finished The Colloquial Cat in one sitting. I have heard of quite a few of these saying before, but some were definitely new to me. Sprinkled throughout with some solid information about cats and their history, it was quite enjoyable. This would make a good gift to any cat lover.
Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
July 28, 2026
As a cat lover and an English nerd, I found this book to be so fun! I’ve also never really thought of all the ways we use ‘cat’ in slang.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this book, beautiful poetry great sketches. Very informative. But I though maybe we would a few short stories too. Interesting fun facts from where a famous saying come from
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review to follow.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews