Tomcat

/ˈtɑmkæt/ noun

Definition

A male cat; also slang for a man who chases after romantic partners frequently.

Etymology

From 'Tom' (a male name used generically for animals) combined with 'cat.' The term arose in the 1600s when 'Tom' was already used for male animals; female cats were 'Tabbies' from a striped fabric pattern.

Kelly Says

The word 'tomcat' revealing that female cats were historically called 'Tabbies' shows how our language preserves old gendered assumptions. Female cats got named after a type of fabric while males got just... 'Tom'!

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