Cat Lingo: Guide to Internet Cat Talk
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The Internet is a cat lover’s paradise, especially when you learn that there are whole sections of social media websites devoted specifically to cats. Take Facebook’s “aeroplane ear posting” group, designed specifically for sharing photos of cats with airplane ears, or Reddit’s r/OneOrange Braincell for sharing derpy orange cat behavior, for example.
Whether you use Reddit, TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram, chances are you’ve encountered some interesting cat-centric jargon you don’t fully comprehend. As a Millennial, I know I have my teenage daughter on standby for all new-fangled terminology I can’t wrap my head around, but if you don’t have a child at your disposal to send all your inquiries to, we can help. Read on to find common Internet cat lingo you’ll come across as you delve deeper into your favorite Facebook pages or subreddits.
The Guide to Internet Cat Lingo
| Word or Phrase | Meaning |
| Absolute unit | An impressively large cat |
| Airplane ears | When a cat flattens their ears so they look like an airplane about to take flight; can symbolize that zoomies are about to begin or that they’re frightened or nervous |
| Angery | Alternate spelling of “angry;” used when a cat is showing an angry face |
| Beans | See toe beans |
| Blep | When a cat leaves their tongue, usually just the tip, hanging outside of their mouth unconsciously |
| Boop | A tiny, extremely gentle touch to the nose; also known as a “nose boop” |
| Cat taps | When your cat taps on an object or their human as a way of requesting attention |
| Cat tax | An image or video of one’s cat posted as a duty to be fulfilled upon introduction to a social media forum |
| Catio | A patio for cats; typically built just outside a door or window that your pet likes to frequent so they can come and go as they please |
| Catmas | Christmas, but with a cat theme in mind |
| Catto | Another way to say “cat” |
| Chicken | Naked cat (e.g., Sphynx) |
| Chonk/Chonker | A particularly chunky cat |
| Derp | A foolish or clumsy cat; can be used to refer to particularly silly facial expressions |
| Eepy | Sleepy |
| Ekekekekek | The chirping sound a cat makes when they observe birds |
| Elevator butt | When cats raise their bottoms in the air when the base of their tail is scratched |
| Floof | An exceptionally fluffy or furry cat |
| Frien | Another way to say “friend” |
| Heckin’ | Used to emphasize an action; e.g., “That cat had heckin’ zoomies.” |
| Hooman | Common word that cats use when referring to their owner |
| House panther | A domestic black cat |
| If I fits, I sits | Refers to the tendency of cats to try to occupy tight spaces for little to no reason, mostly boxes far too small for them |
| Kitteh | Kitty |
| Kitty glitter | The tufts of fur cats leave all over their home, furniture, and humans |
| Loaf | A sleeping pose that typically indicates relaxation when all four limbs are tucked under the cat |
| Long boi, long gorl | When cats lay in an elongated position |
| Making biscuits | Refers to the kneading action cats perform when they feel happy and secure |
| Mlem | The sound a cat’s tongue makes when it moves in and out of their mouth |
| Monch | To eat with enthusiasm |
| Mouser | A cat that’s particularly excellent at catching mice |
| Murder mittens | A cat’s claws |
| Oh lawd, he comin’ | Slang used to describe obese cats on the move |
| Pantaloons | The fur on the back of a cat’s hind legs |
| Pooch | Droopy, swinging underbelly; also known as the primordial pouch |
| Purrito | A cat wrapped up in bedding, much like a burrito |
| Smol | An affectionate way to refer to something small in size |
| Snorgle | To inhale the cuteness of the cat, usually done by taking a huge whiff of the belly |
| Sploot | Refers to the position cats take when they lie on their stomachs with their legs stretched out behind them |
| Teefies, teefs | A cat’s pearly whites |
| Toe beans | The squishy part of a cat’s paw pads that resemble jelly beans |
| Void | A black cat |
| Water beard | When a cat dips their head into their water bowl, dampening the area beneath their mouths and giving themselves a wet bearded look |
| Zoomies | A sudden burst of hyperactivity that often occurs in the middle of the night, mystifying cat owners worldwide |
Final Thoughts
We hope our cat lingo dictionary has provided guidance into the most commonly used terminology you will find in cat-centric online forums. Now you have the confidence to go forth, join all the cat groups you can find, share the obligatory cat tax, and connect with other void-loving, kitty glitter-wearing, heckin’ good hoomans that share your affinity for cat culture.
Featured Photo Credit: Fusso_pics, Shutterstock
