A note about The Cuddlywumps Chronicles

This blog is written and maintained by Miss Cuddlywumps, a fluffy-tailed calico cat who is both classically educated and familiar with mysteries. She receives creative input from the Real Cats and clerical assistance from She of Little Talent (old SoLT, a.k.a. Roby Sweet). Comments or complaints should be addressed to Miss C rather than to old SoLt (Ms. Sweet). Ms. Sweet accepts no responsibility for Miss C's opinions.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Words with Webster: Nap and Catnap, Plus Friendly Fill-Ins


We have two fun Friday features for you today. First up is Real Cat Webster, who has a sleepy word to share. After that, it’s on to Friendly Fill-Ins!

Words with Webster


Words with Webster
Hi, everybody! It’s me, Real Cat Webster. Welcome to Words with Me. Today’s word is “nap.” I think we all know how important naps are to us cats. I certainly couldn’t get through the day without several of them. A nap, according to my favorite dictionary, Merriam-Webster’s, is “a short sleep especially during the day.”

I looked in the Oxford English Dictionary, which says that “nap” first appeared in print in the early 14th century. I found this quote from a while later; the original is thought to be from about 1450:
Þan I wakynd of my nappe. (The life of St. Cuthbert in English verse, ed. Joseph Thomas Fowler, 1891)
The Online Etymology Dictionary says that the word comes from the Old English word hnappian, which meant “to doze, sleep lightly.” It seems that no one is quite sure where that came from, but it could be related to the Old High German hnaffezan.

And let’s not forget about the closely related and very important word “catnap.” This word has been around since at least the early 19th century:
I just closed my eyes in order to think the better with myself... It was only some such matter as a cat's nap. (J. F. Cooper, Pioneers II. xiii. 187 [1823])
Obviously people just put “cat” and “nap” together—which, when you think about it, is one of the more sensible wordy things people have ever done!

Real Cat Webster loves a good catnap

  

Friendly Fill-Ins

Friendly Fill-InsAnd 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. My Chinese zodiac animal is the Monkey (Earth Monkey, specifically).

2. My zodiac sign is Capricorn.

Real Cat Paisley’s answers:
3. Income tax season … well, I don’t care about it because I don’t have any income except for treats and stuff. I don’t have to pay taxes on that, do I???

4. In hindsight, I probably should not have hissed (repeatedly) at Webster yesterday. Then again, he should’ve just left Mommy’s bedroom when I told him to the first time!



13 comments:

  1. You know, Paisley, it's not like Webster didn't understand you. He's a cat, I'm sure he understands cat. Sometimes a ladycat needs her room, and sometimes she needs the whole room.

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  2. We like that Old English version and our Mom vows to use it at least once today. Sure, she might tell it to us cats, certainly not in the middle of Costco or Walmart, but we'll challenge her to do that. Great fill-ins this week!

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  3. Webster is handsome. I linked this post to Feline Friday.

    Hissing works at times and other times, not so much.

    Have a purrfect day. My best to your peeps. ♥

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  4. My Mom is a sheep! I need to look and see what I am! Love, Cody catchatwithcarenandcody

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  5. Nap is one of my favorite words Webster, good choice. And I agree the words cat and nap to go together very nicely. Thank you both for your fill-in answers, I enjoyed them. My hubby is a Capricorn too. And Paisley, no worries about taxes on the treats, but I do think young SALT should get to count them as a deduction :) Be nice to your brother. Have a great weekend! XO

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  6. dood...cat N nap N nappin catz takin cat napz iz one oh R fave oh rite werdz two !!
    ♥♥♥☺☺☺

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  7. For humans, I wonder what the difference is between a 'nap' and a 'catnap'? Aren't they the same thing? Hmmm....

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  8. Paisley, I'm lucky that TW claims the money I make blogging—all pennies of it—on her taxes. I'm not lucky thta sometimes she takes the pennies too.

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  9. I'm boxing up all our cat toys, treats, and stuff and sending them to you, Webster. That picture of your catnap is so adorable that I can't help but give you everything. Don't worry ... I won't tell Bear and Ellie where it all went :)

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  10. Nap and catnap are two of the most beautiful words in the english language! Who knows...the way Washington works your treats might get taxed one day, Paisley!

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  11. We totally agree with your fill-ins and they are very close to our fill-ins. Did you copy us? mol

    Shoko and Kali

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  12. Great info about NAPS! They are my favorite thing to do! Thanks for telling me about it Webster! And we LOVED your Fill Ins too!
    Have a MARVELOUS weekend!
    Purrs
    Marv

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  13. So, we wonder, is it really considered a nap when it goes on and on, like they do for my hubby and the dogs?? LOL

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