Does "Kitty" Mean Kitten or Cat?

For as long as humans have had feline companions, we‘ve struggled to put our affection for them into words. Of all the names we bestow upon our furry friends, few capture our devotion like "kitty." But does this popular moniker strictly mean a baby cat? Or is it a lifelong term of endearment? Let‘s paw through the history and science behind what we call our cats.

A Brief History of "Kitty"

Like cats themselves, the word "kitty" has origins lost to time. But etymologists have traced its lineage back centuries:

• 1300s – "kitoun" emerges in Middle English referring to a young cat or kitten.

• 1600s – "Kitling" and "kitling" appear in writing, meaning a cat in general.

• 1719 – "Kitty" is first documented meaning specifically "young cat."

• Late 1800s – By Victorian England, "kitty" broadens to signify adult cats as well.

To plunny this historical trail further, let‘s gaze through the ages at "kitty" in action:

• 1616 – William Shakespeare‘s tragic play Cymbeline includes the line: "Hark, hark, the lark at heaven‘s gate sings, and Phoebus ‘gins arise, his steeds to water at those springs on chaliced flowers that lies." Here, "Phoebus" poetically refers to the sun god Apollo, but also slang for cat. So Shakespeare‘s lyrical verse links kitties to the dawn of each new day.

• 1871 – In Lewis Carroll‘s Through the Looking-Glass, the character Kitty refers to her cat Dinah as "Kitty." Carroll wrote: "I wish Dinah‘s hair was as long as mine, then she wouldn‘t tie it up!" This suggests "kitty" had expanded beyond just young cats by the Victorian era.

• 1935 – In the novel Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, Pippi declares: "A horse is nice, but a kitty is much cosier." Lindgren‘s wildly popular books featured many warm "kitty" references, cementing the word in modern literature.

• 2019 – The horror movie Pet Sematary features a cat named Church resurrected from the dead. When he returns undead, one character remarks: "That ain‘t Church, not my sweet kitty." Showing how deeply ingrained "kitty" is in our lexicon for cats old and young.

So through history, we find "kitty" evolving from "young cat" into an all-encompassing nickname. Let‘s next explore the science and psychology behind this semantic shift.

Decoding "Kitty": Feline Facts & Figure

Our growing understanding of cats has also shaped the meaning of "kitty" over time. Once we believed cats to be aloof and solitary; now science shows sociability and profound bonds with humans are in feline nature.

Cats can form strong social relationships and display empathy towards humans. Let‘s look at some fascinating facts about our furry companions:

• Cats adopt different meow sounds to communicate with humans vs other cats. They reserve a special human-directed "meow" just for us.
• When cats rub against us, they‘re performing facial scent glands. This "bunting" marks humans as part of their group.
• Cats purr not only when content, but also to self-soothe when hurt or scared.
• Kittens meow to their mothers but cats do not meow to each other. Vocalizing for humans shows they consider us family.
• Cats understand their own names and pick out familiar words humans say.

With growing appreciation of the cat‘s capacity for bonding, is it any wonder "kitty" has expanded to embrace cats of all ages?

Regional Variations: Kitty vs Pussycat

While North Americans flock to "kitty", British English speakers opt for "pussycat" as the catch-all feline nickname.

"In the UK, ‘pussycat‘ is more common. But ‘kitty‘ is taking hold among younger ‘cat people‘ influenced by the internet and social media." – Mikel Delgado, cat behaviorist

But it‘s not a hard-rule dialect difference, as Brits may use "kitty" for an especially beloved or youthful pet. While Americans occasionally say "pussycat" too.

"My friend Violet always called her senior tabby ‘pussycat.‘ I think she thought ‘kitty‘ sounded too young!" – Cat owner, Manchester, UK

In Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, "pussycat" and "kitty" are fairly interchangeable. While other English dialects like Caribbean Creole favor "puss" or "pussy" over both.

But the global digital community is blending linguistic lines. A Japanese study found their populace frequently uses "kitty" in social media posts and texts about cats. Proof that our shared affection for felines transcends tongues!

"Kitty Come Here!" – Do Cats Know Their Names?

Can cats distinguish their names amid human chatter? Science says yes!

Cats can recognize words they associate with rewards or punishments. In one study, felines reacted to their names but ignored similar sounding nouns. Let‘s peek at the process:

• Cats form memories based on what words precede positive or negative events.
• With repeated pairing, they associate certain sounds with outcomes.
• Ring a bell -> get fed. Hear "no!" -> jumping off counter. Name called -> tasty treat!

This means calling "Here, kitty kitty!" will grab your cat‘s attention – thanks to learned association between their name and good things.

Fun fact: cats respond better to higher-pitched tones, as kittens do to mothers. Mimicking this pitch in their name draws their focus. Use an urgent tone, and they‘ll come running!

Why We Love to Call Cats "Kitty"

When examined objectively, "kitty" is an odd name for a full-grown cat. But our brains don‘t assess language logically. "Kitty" taps into deeply ingrained human instincts.

Linguistics professor John McWhorter describes how we subconsciously associate certain sounds with nurturing:

"There appears to be something about high and low pitches and the repetition of sounds that make childdirected speech and pet-directed speech rather similar."

McWhorter notes we even use this same sing-song tone when babying objects, like: "Aww, my poor broken phonesy-wonesy."

By instinct, those pitches and rhythms project caregiving and affection. So we naturally lavish beloved pets with this "motherese" speech.

Even when we know intellectually our cats aren‘t our babies, we can‘t resist mollycoddling them in "kitty" voices. And who can blame us? It bonds human and feline in mutual love.

Kitty Creates Connection

Why do people name a furry beast they know isn‘t an infant something like "Mr. Wuggums"?

Animal behaviorist Dr. Jill Goldman offers insight:

"Pet names represent endearment. It‘s natural to want a symbol for the relationship between guardian and companion animal."

In eras where cats were more "mousers" than family, "kitty" as a lifelong title wasn‘t common. But today, with cats firmly ensconced in our homes and hearts, a special name honors the bond.

So even if your cat is 12 years old and far from kittenhood, "kitty" still encapsulates their place in your world.

Keeping the Kitty Connection Strong

Want your catdashian to come running when you call their nickname? Try these training tips:

• Use reward-based training – Say your cat‘s name immediately before offering a treat. Repeat often so they associate name with reward.

• Pick a short, unique name – Avoid confusing your cat with names that sound similar to common words. Make it 1-2 syllables.

• Say their name first – Get their attention by showing a toy or using another cue before saying their name.

• Be consistent – Stick to the same name always when addressing your cat to avoid confusion.

• Use a cheerful tone – Your pitch should sound upbeat and encouraging. High-pitched is ideal.

• Avoid punishment – Never scold or punish a cat responding to their name. This will break the positive association.

Follow these steps, and your beloved booplesnoot will come scampering when their personal moniker is called!

Final Thoughts: What‘s in a Cat‘s Name?

Language constantly evolves – and few words have transformed more than "kitty." Once denoting only the young, this playful term now encapsulates our complete affection for cats.

So don‘t hesitate to call your tabby "kitty", regardless of their age. It communicates that your history together remains vibrant and new. Each dawn brings a special day for discovery, play, and snuggles.

Just as Shakespeare‘s lyrical Phoebus cat heralded the promise of sunrise centuries ago, our kitties still usher in each moment. No word better captures the enduring joys of feline friendship than "kitty."