The cat’s whiskers

 

The cat’s whiskers

Jellicoe

The origins of this expression are uncertain. It may have arisen in 19^th

century girls’ boarding schools. Another source suggests that the cartoonist Thomas Dorgan was responsible for the term in the early 20^th century.

What is certain is that it carries the same meaning as ‘the bees’ knees’ which I wrote about here and here. It is not an expression commonly heard in the 21^st century.

Last night we were commenting on our cats’ splendid whiskers and started discussing their purpose. We knew they were a means for cats to determine whether a space was big enough for them to pass through, a sort of inbuilt tape measure, but when we investigated further, we discovered some interesting facts.

The formal name for whiskers is vibrissae, from the Latin vibrio, to vibrate. They are much thicker than normal cat fur and have roots three times deeper. The tips have sensory organs that send information to the brain. They enable the cat to judge distance and direction and even texture. They can sense air movements and changes, sometimes alerting them to danger.

Cats are symmetrical, at least, their cheek or mystacial whiskers are. Every cat has at least 24 tactile facial whiskers, arranged symmetrically in four horizontal rows of three on each side of their muzzle.  Some cats may have more than 24, but there will always be an even number on each side in symmetrical formation, so that they can accurately assess their surroundings.

I think Herschel has 30 muzzle whiskers

Whiskers can indicate the mood of a cat. Pinned back whiskers signify a scared animal. Whiskers pointing forward, particularly if the ears are also erect, show alertness, as when a cat is hunting or curious. If the ears are flattened and the whiskers are forward, the cat is showing signs of aggression. When relaxed and happy, the whiskers droop.

The length of the whiskers is dependant on the size of the cat. A larger, fatter or fluffier cat will have longer whiskers than a hairless cat. A large Maine Coon may have whiskers that are six inches long. Conversely, a little Cornish Rex will have very short, curly whiskers. 

Cats cannot easily see things less than about eleven inches in front of them. By touching an object with their whiskers they know where and how big it is. At night, their whiskers detect air currents, alerting them to objects they may need to avoid. Outside, whiskers can sense sharp objects, thus protecting their eyes and faces from injury.

Whiskers, like fur, go through a natural sequence of growth and shedding. It is not unusual to find a mystacial whisker on a cushion or chair. If a number are found it could indicate something amiss, like an infection, or an allergy.

Most cats have white whiskers though they sometimes change colour with age, looking grey or black. A colour change may indicate that that whisker is about to be shed.

Cats’ whiskers should never be trimmed – they are essential to a cat’s well-being.

Herschel

Cats have whiskers on other parts of their bodies. Leg whiskers grow at the back of the front legs. They are quite difficult to photograph but are easily seen in 'real life.' These carpal whiskers help when the cat is climbing, sensing the texture of the tree or fence. As cats cannot see detail well close up, their carpal whiskers are used when hunting to indicate whether the prey they have caught is still moving. 

The whiskers above their eyes, their eyebrows, are sensitive to the lightest touch, warning them to blink or move, though I have sometimes seen Jellicoe with wispy cobwebs on his eyebrows. He's not providing board and lodging to a spider, just using his whiskers as brooms. The word whisker comes from the Middle English 'wisker' for anything that whisks or sweeps. 

Now, go and find a cat and count its mystacial whiskers!