Words with Webster: Lykoi, Plus Friendly Fill-Ins

We have two fun features for you this Friday. First up is Words with Webster, in which he tells us about a strange new type of cat. This is followed by Friendly Fill-Ins.

Words with Webster: Lykoi

Our word today is “Lykoi.” I think most of you have probably heard of this before, or you may have heard the other term, “werewolf cat.” The Lykoi is a brand-new breed of cat that has gotten a lot of attention recently because it is…weird. Lykoi are partially hairless, and some people think they look like little wolves. Their appearance is from a natural mutation. The first one was born in 2010. You can learn a lot more about the Lykoi from The International Cat Association and Lykoi Cats.

A young Lykoi cat.
By steptacular (Own work)
[CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

The name “Lykoi” is from the Greek for “wolves.” The word has not made it into my favorite dictionary (Merriam-Webster’s) yet, and it is not in the Oxford English Dictionary either. I guess the little werewolf cats have just not been around long enough. Human werewolves have been around for a really long time though, since ancient times. They are said to suffer from “lycanthropy.” That word has been around since 1584, when Reginald Scot described lycanthropy as “a disease, and not a transformation.”

Lykoi don’t have a disease though; they just look different. Purrsonally, I think they’re too cute to be called “werewolf cats,” and that sounds kind of scary anyway. They should just be called wolf cats or Lykoi.

Friendly Fill-Ins

And now it’s time for Friendly Fill-Ins, from 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader. They are a fun way to learn a little bit about the authors of the blogs you read. The first two questions, answered by old SoLT this week, are from Ellen of 15andmeowing, and the next two, answered by Real Cat Paisley, are from Annie of McGuffy’s Reader.

Old SoLT’s answers:

1. I challenge everyone to go meatless at least one day this week (unless you’re a cat!).

2. I regret disposing of … So, this is kind of amusing. Just last night I was thinking of something I had gotten rid of in a big clear-out several years ago, and I was wishing I still had it, but now I can’t remember what it was. Guess I don’t miss it so much after all.

Real Cat Paisley’s answers:

3. I have a difficult time admitting that I sort of enjoy watching the dog sometimes.

4. If I were given a psychic power, I would like it to be—What are you talking about? I’m a cat. I already have psychic powers! But it’s against the Cat Code to discuss them openly with humans.