Cat Etymology

Cat is probably one of the first words we learn in the English language. But where did the word originate from?

The Online Etymology Dictionary dates it back to the Western High Germanic chazza or catero, then to the Latin cattus in A.D.350, being distinguished from feles, which refers to a European wildcat. From there it evolved to the Old English catt, which of course, eventually developed into the word we use today.

The scientific name for a domestic cat, as classified by Carolus Linnaeus in his Systema Naturae in 1758 is Felis sylvestris catus. However, people tend to use it interchangeably with Johann Erxleben’s labelling as the Felis catus domesticus.

Interesting facts

• A group of cats is known as a clowder.
• A male cat is labelled as a tom, a gib if it has been neutered, or a stud if it is used for breeding.
• A female cat is called a queen.
• The word ‘moggy’ is often used as a term of affection or to refer to a mixed breed cat with unknown ancestry or pedigree. It was first noted in 1911, and contrary to popular belief, it is not believed to be a corruption of the word ‘mongrel’. In fact, it has been linked to parts of England where the word originally meant mouse and not cat. A cat was therefore called a ‘moggy catcher’, and over time, ‘catcher’ was dropped from the phrase until the word came to signify both animals.
• An adult cat is regarded as a cat over eight months old.
• A mother cat is known as a dam, whilst a father cat is called a sire.

Sources and further reading
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=CAT
http://www.answers.com/topic/moggy
http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/cat_breeders_terminology