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make a cat laugh. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
make a cat laugh, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
make a cat laugh in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
make a cat laugh you have here. The definition of the word
make a cat laugh will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
make a cat laugh, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Coined in 1893 as part of the advertising for the Broadway production of the play Charlie's Aunt, ("it makes a cat laugh") based on the observation that cats do not laugh.
Verb
make a cat laugh (third-person singular simple present makes a cat laugh, present participle making a cat laugh, simple past and past participle made a cat laugh)
- To be extremely funny.
1914 March, Edmund Breese, “The Art of Advertising an Actor”, in The Rotarian, volume 4, number 7, page 28:The only play I know of that has ever established a trademark is "Charlie's Aunt." Perhaps some of you recall "Charlie's Aunt." Before that play was produced in New York City the only printed commentary was "it makes a cat laugh."
2013, Robert Barnard, Death and the Princess:All the bowing and scraping was enough to make a cat laugh, but the Princess took it all in her stride — her demeanour commonsensical (didn't everyone who went by train get this sort of treatment?) and a shade demure.
2013, Patrick Taylor, Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor:It would have made a cat laugh to see the prof's face.
2015, Gordon Leidner, Lincoln's Gift: How Humor Shaped Lincoln's Life and Legacy:Carr added that he had never seen "another who provoked so much mirth, and who entered into rollicking fun with such glee. He could make a cat laugh.”