Let the dog in!

intransitive verb:

1. To make a harsh cry.
2. To have a noisy argument.
3. A shrill, discordant sound.

John met Angela head-to-head and there was a lot of bellowing and caterwauling.
– Matthew Parris, “Prescott grapples with his feminine side”, Times (London), December 14, 2000

Caterwaul is from Middle English caterwawen, “to cry as a cat,” either from Medieval Dutch kater, “tomcat” + Dutch wauwelen, “to tattle,” or for catawail, from cat-wail, “to wail like a cat.”

So you probably knew this word. But did you know how to spell it? And did you know it could be used in ways other than “quit your caterwauling, child!!”? You say this, right? It’s up there with “what’s all the foofaraw?!” around here.

Okay, I may be weird.

I just hope that there is not too much caterwauling here later today (unless there is an actual CAT wailing) when I will try yet again for a blood-free, bruise-free playdate between two four-year-old girls.

Got any caterwauling goin’ on at your place?

Hearos, anyone? It’s the bulk pack.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!