The term “fat cat” refers to a wealthy and successful person, originating from the early 20th century when it was used derisively towards undeserving wealthy individuals. It is often used in contrast to frontline workers and can also imply control over underlings. However, it is important to note that not all “fat cats” have a lot of net worth, as debt and financial liability can obscure their true financial situation.
When an English speaker speaks of a “fat cat,” that person is referring to someone who is of high social standing, or someone with a successful reputation, with the implication that the individual is also wealthy. The term “fat cat” relates wealth to a large waist and a “fat” wallet. This term is a somewhat derogatory label.
The term “fat cat,” according to language historians, originated in the early 20th century, at a time when “robber barons” or “plutocrats” controlled much of the wealth of America and other developed countries. Many people of lesser wealth used this term derisively in reference to those they felt were undeserving of their wealth and opulent lifestyle. Over time, the phrase survived as part of the overall social observation of the class.
In terms of etymology, the term “fat cat” has much in common with a few other phrases using the same animal allegory. For example, when someone says “when the cat is away, the mice will play,” they are creating a contrast between a cat, who represents the boss, and mice, who represent frontline or frontline workers. Here, the cat is seen as a predatory animal and one that controls the behavior of others further down the food chain.
Another phrase has developed around the same allegory to illustrate the opposite of the idea. If someone says “the mice always work when the fat cat is around” this connects the idea of the predatory cat to the idea of the rich or “fat” boss who makes sure that the underlings work hard. It also features the same derogatory use of “fat cat” to imply that the best people in an organization have lots of wealth.
It is important to note that the use of the phrase “fat cat” is often superficial and that not all individuals who receive this title actually have a lot of net worth. In modern complex financial companies, it is entirely possible for someone to control a large organization and lack commensurate resources, especially when financial liability is involved. Many times, when investigators look closely at the pockets of “fat cats,” they discover that due to debt, fraud, or other troubles, the individual isn’t actually wealthy and may in fact owe far more than he’s worth. This shows how the use of credit can significantly obscure someone’s true financial situation and how a term like “fat cat” can be misapplied, even if the person’s lifestyle or image fits the stereotype.
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