ailurophile
noun

- a cat fancier : a lover of cats

- person who is fond of or enthusiastic about cats; a cat-lover

Merriam-Webster, Oxford English Dictionary 

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WORD ORIGIN

The word ailurophile breaks down beautifully into its Greek components: ailuro- (αἴλουρος) = “cat” and -phile (φίλος) = “loving” or “lover of”, so literally: “cat lover”

The Greek word ailouros (αἴλουρος) itself has an interesting etymology derived from: aiolos (αἰόλος) = “quick-moving, shifty” and oura (οὐρά) = “tail”

Ailurophile entered English in the early 20th century (around 1927-1931) as part of the trend of creating technical or humorous terms using Greek and Latin roots. It was likely coined by cat enthusiasts who wanted a sophisticated alternative to simply saying “cat lover”.

Related terms: ailurophilia = the love of cats (the condition/state), ailurophobe = someone who fears or dislikes cats

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CATWALK
What do cats, camels, and giraffes have in common?

Cats are "perfect walkers," meaning they move both right feet together, then both left feet — a gait pattern shared only with camels and giraffes. This direct-register walking style, where their hind paw steps almost exactly into the print left by their front paw, minimizes noise and visible tracks, making them supremely stealthy hunters,… also allowing them to walk on very narrow ledges and branches.

Next time you see a walking cat, remember the abilities of these amazing creatures and the word ailurophile.

Helga & Paul Smith

“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” — Terry Pratchett

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SYNONYMS

AILUROPHILE, cat-crazed, cat-lover, cat-mad, cat person (as opposed to “dog person”), cat-worshipper, devoted to cats, dotty about cats, feline-fancier, felinophile, fond of felines, gatophile, mad about cats, smitten with cats, soft spot for cats​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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SMUGGLE
 OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“If you love both cats and dogs equally, you aren't stuck between terms—you could technically call yourself an AILURO-cynophile!”

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P L E A S E   S U P P O R T   O W A D

On evenings and weekends, I research and write your daily OWAD newsletter together with Helga—my lovely wife and coaching partner—and our eagle-eyed daughter, Jennifer.

It remains FREE, AD-FREE, and ALIVE thanks to voluntary donations from appreciative readers.

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Just head over to DonorBox:
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Thanks so much,

Paul, Helga, & Jenny Smith

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