Thursday, February 7, 2013

Thursday Trivia: Don't get your back up!

Who knew this phrase was animal-related?


Yup, kinda self-explanatory. And we have good ol' language maven Richard Lederer to thank for this one too.

"When a cat is attacked by a dog or other animals," he writes, "it aggressively arches its back, a response that suggested the phrase to get one's back up to describe humans aroused into anger."

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Source: Richard Lederer, host of "A Way With Words," on KPBS, San Diego Public Radio
Image courtesy Shoeboxblog.com. Used with permission.
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(We'd appreciate your kind thoughts tomorrow, as Maxwell goes in to have his teeth cleaned...!)


14 comments:

  1. We did not realise that was about cats. Have a terrific Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Cute. :-)

    Lots of purrs for Maxwell, we hope it's just a cleaning, no extractions!

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  3. HahaMeow! Hilarious cartoon! Purrs for sweet Maxwell. xoxo

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  4. We'll be purring for Maxwell's dental cleaning to go well tomorrow!

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  5. We cats are SUCH inspirations! Humans owe us big time.

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  6. We see this lots when Misty May encounters our neighbor's cat, Sparky, in our yard! She usually has her tail puffed up as well. Purrs and hugs from the kitties at www.thecatonmyhead.com, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Lisbeth, Astrid and Calista Josette

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  7. ...so what does it mean when a crazy orange kitten arches his back and hops sideways, followed by an impressive display of jazz hands?

    LOVE the cartoon!!!

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  8. Love the cartoon! Sending purrs for Maxwell tomorrow! Austin will have to go back soon for another "procedure" :(

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  9. That is funny! We are purring for Maxwell too.

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  10. Don't think I ever heard that expression. Hey Allie, have you seen my Oscar contending video yet?

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Coolio! A comment? For US?