This phrase means “to rain very heavily,” but why cats and dogs? Despite the fact that these two animals generally prefer to keep their distance from one another, cats and dogs have been paired in expressions to evoke strife or hostility since the 1570s. Their coupling in this tempestuous expression could be a gesture toward the inhospitable conditions a heavy rainstorm produces. The phrase first appeared as “it shall raine..Dogs and Polecats.” Polecats might refer to ferrets or skunks.

Cat’s pajamas – csodás dolog, nagy szám, menő

American cartoonist Thomas Aloysius “Tad” Dorgan is often credited with coining this colorful phrase, which is used to refer to someone or something wonderful or remarkable. It is one of a handful of slang expressions to emerge in the early to mid-1920s featuring animals. Bee’s knees, canary’s tusks, and flea’s eyebrows are a few of the others.

To make a cat laugh – nagyon vicces, nevettető

This lesser-known expression is said of something very funny, as in “That YouTube video was enough to make a cat laugh.” Fittingly, playwright James Robinson Planche used it in 1838 when he adapted the French fairy tale Puss in Boots for the stage: “Allow us just applause to win Enough to make a cat laugh.” The origin on this phrase is unknown, but perhaps it’s a play on what’s widely perceived to be the dignified and composed disposition of the feline.

Curiosity killed the cat – aki kíváncsi, hamar megöregszik, a kíváncsiság árt a szépségnek

Before curiosity, it was care that killed the cat. The phrase care killed the cat appeared in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in 1599: “though care killed a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.” In this expression, the word care refers to a burdened state of mind or anxiety, and the phrase is probably a reference to the myth that cats have nine lives, making them difficult to extinguish.

A cat may look at a king – a legkisebbnek is megvannak a maga jogai

This now obscure idiom was used to express the set of things that an inferior may do in front of a superior. In his 1721 Universal Etymological English Dictionary, lexicographer Nathan Bailey referred to this as a “saucy proverb” used by pragmatic persons as a reminder of class etiquette, “for tho’ peasants may look at and honor great men, patriots, and potentates, yet they are not to spit in their faces.”

Let the cat out of the bag – kifecsegni a titkot, eljár a szája

From the cat-o’-nine-tails to the “pig in a poke” scam, there are a number of fanciful stories about the origin of this curious phrase, meaning “to divulge a secret,” but none have been verified. We do know that it’s been with us for a few centuries; the first record of its usage is from 1760, and Charlotte Bronte used it in her 1849 novel, Shirley: “This last epithet I choose to suppress, because it would let the cat out of the bag.” When it comes to the true origins of this phrase, the cat remains very much in the bag.

To turn the cat in the pan – ellentétére fordítani a dolgokat

From wearing pajamas to looking at kings and raining with dogs, cats have found themselves in quite a few peculiar scenarios in the English language. Here’s another one: to turn the cat in the pan was a phrase dating back to the 1430s meaning “to shuffle the order of things to make them seem to be the opposite of what they are.”

source: dictionary.com

Do you remember the idioms? What word is missing from them?

1. to rain cats and ……

2. …… pajamas

3. to make a cat ……

4. …… killed the cat

5. a cat may look at a ……

6. let the cat out of the ……

7. to turn the cat in the ……

Key

1. dogs

2. cat’s

3. laugh

4. curiosity

5. king

6. bag

7. pan

The Cameron family has to leave Downing Street without the tabby who has lived in Downing Street since 2011. The Downing Street cat will be spared eviction from Number 10 when the Cameron family leave, it has been confirmed. Chief mouser Larry – a brown and white tabby entrusted with the rat-catching portfolio – will continue to reside in his famous abode when Theresa May moves in after becoming prime minister.

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: “It’s a civil servant’s cat and does not belong to the Camerons – he will be staying.”

Larry, who was rehomed from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, was said to have a “strong predatory drive” that suggested he would be well suited to the task of rat catching.

David Cameron welcomed the cat’s arrival, and said he would make a “great addition” to the Number 10 team. Larry was the first cat to hold the appointment since stalwart ratter Humphrey was retired in 1997.

Humphrey was so popular that when Tony Blair moved in, officials were forced to organise a photocall to disprove rumours he had been put down by wife Cherie.

Humphrey was succeeded for a short period by Sybil, the pet of then chancellor Alistair Darling, in 2007, but the renowned mouser failed to settle, and returned to Scotland.

Larry previously had competition from George Osborne’s cat Freya, with the two spotted fighting on the pavement in Downing Street. 

The two learned to co-exist, but Freya was eventually exiled to the Kent countryside to live with a member of Mr Osborne’s staff in 2014.

An unofficial Twitter account set up under Larry’s name posted on Monday: “Does anyone know a good cat groomer available tomorrow? I need to make a good impression on someone on my first day with the new PM …”

It had earlier tweeted: “One final thing before they’ll let you have the job, TheresaMay2016 – tell the people you’ll keep me in Number 10.”

Can you find the words that fit these definitions?

1. a cat with a striped coat

2. strongly built, robust

3. to move forcefully from a building

4. to drive away, to separate somebody from their country or home

5. the office or post of a minister

6. a gossip, a story that is not surely true

7. to be perfectly fit

8. a place of residence, a home

9. to find a new home for

10. to live permanently

11. to notice, to observe

12. to be unsuccessful or unable

Key

1. tabby

2. stalwart

3. to evict

4. to exile

5. portfolio

6. rumour

7. to be well-suited

8. abode

9. to rehome

10. to reside

11. to spot

12. to fail

Larry is the latest in a long line of official mousers at Downing Street, including stalwart ratter Humphrey, who served under Margaret Thatcher and John Major but was retired in 1997, shortly after Tony Blair’s arrival. Humphrey was succeeded for a short period in 2007 by Sybil, the pet of then chancellor Alistair Darling, but the renowned mouser failed to settle and returned to Scotland.

Larry was brought in to keep down the local rat population after a rodent was seen scuttling past the door of Number 10 Downing Street.

He has been described by Downing Street sources as a “good ratter” and as having “a high chase-drive and hunting instinct“. Soon after he was taken in at Downing Street, a story ran in the press claiming that Larry was a lost cat and that the original owner had started a campaign to retrieve him. However, the story was later revealed to be a hoax, and no such owner nor campaign existed.

In his first few days at No 10 he took a vicious swipe at a television reporter but he has shown a gentler side with other visitors, reportedly getting on well with United States President Barack Obama.

In June 2011 David Cameron announced that Larry had killed his first mouse after arriving in Downing Street. On 9 September 2011, Larry was spotted swiping at a mouse, referred to as “Mandy”, which then escaped under a bush. In November 2011, Larry’s position came under pressure, as it emerged that he was spending more time sleeping, and spending time in the company of a female cat, Maisie than actually hunting for mice. The cat’s position was said to be “unassailable“, even though it emerged that the Prime Minister had resorted to throwing a piece of cutlery at a mouse during a Cabinet dinner, in an ineffectual attempt to kill it. The Prime Minister’s spokesman rejected calls for Larry’s resignation, stating that “Larry brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people”.

Larry’s exploits and observations on life at Number 10 became the subject of a weekly cartoon in The Sunday Express drawn by cartoonist Ted Harrison.

A book, written in character as Larry, Larry Diaries: Downing Street – the First 100 Days by former Guardian journalist James Robinson was published in 2011. A picture gallery to celebrate Larry’s first two years in office was produced by The Daily Telegraph.

In 2012, Larry was visible on the Google Street View of Number 10, asleep next to the door.

The new British Ambassador in Hungary, Iain Lindsay, also owns a cat. His name is Fergus. Fergus is 11 years old and has lived in Romania, the UK, Hong Kong and Bahrain. He moved to Budapest with the Ambassador and his wife in March. He was adopted as a kitten in Romania. He was born in the Lindsay house to a three-legged cat that was found in their garden suffering from horrible injuries.

source: The Telegraph, Wikipedia

Here are a few definitions for you. Can you find the words in the text?

1. newspapers or journalists viewed collectively

2. to  take over a throne, office, or other position from somebody

3. stepping down from a job

4. a remarkable deed

5. a small rodent that has a pointed snout, relatively large ears and eyes, and a long tail

Key

1. the press

2. to succeed

3. resignation

4. exploit

5. mouse

The three-year-old mix breed has become an online celebrity after his owner, Aina Stormo of Hedmark, recently posted a video of the long-haired feline acting like a sled dog and pulling her on her cross-country skis.

Social media marveled at the “amazing” and unusual pet, which seems to make your average kitty a couch potato.

California-based animal behaviorist Jill Goldman, on the other hand, was unfazed.

“If he has the physical attributes to be comfortable, such as a long coat, and has adjusted over time to be comfortable with the activity, it’s not surprising the owner can ski with her cat,” Goldman says.

In other words, despite what Internet memes like Grumpy Cat might suggest, domestic cats are very adaptable creatures—if they’re taught young, as Jesper was.

Stormo, who adopted Jesper as a kitten, quickly discovered it was easy to bring the youngster along on her family’s outdoor activities, such as cross-country skiing and horseback riding.

“We wanted to make it possible for us to live the same life we had before we got Jesper, and it’s more fun to bring Jesper with us!” Stormo told National Geographic in an email.

Acclimating the kitten to traveling and being outside was only the beginning—Stormo also applied the same training techniques she had previously used with dogs to Jesper.

For instance, when Jesper behaves the way Stormo wants, she uses positive reinforcement, such as a soothing voice or a snack. “I never punish him when he has bad behavior, instead, I just try to ignore it,” she says.

Making an Adventure Cat

So you want to turn your kitten into an adventure cat? Goldman thinks that’s fabulous.

“It’s enrichment, it’s exercise—so long as it’s done with the proper care,” for instance by not putting the cat in extreme weather and safely securing it, for instance with a harness and leash.

“The first step is to start exposing the cat to the outside in a safe manner. Bring it in a knapsack, so that the cat starts to become familiar with smells and sights” of the outdoors.

Goldman agrees with Stormo’s method of positive reinforcement using treats and avoiding punishment, because it “undermines the relationship.”

“They need to trust us, and if we cause them harm, they don’t trust us,” Goldman says.

Know When to Stop

Stormo says that she works with Jesper only for short amounts of time, and stops before he gets tired.

It’s not always easy, she adds: “If they don’t want to do it, then it doesn’t matter how much you try.”

In the same vein, Goldman says, if your kitten starts running from the knapsack, stop the training—he’s just not interested.

Even Jesper, who clearly enjoys his outdoor lifestyle, has his limits.

In the viral video, “you can tell when Jesper had had enough, he plunked itself down, and she had to carry him,” Goldman says.

“There’s no ambiguity,” she says, “with a cat.”

source: National Geographic

There are quite a lot of words beginning with the letter ‘a’ in the article. Can you match the words and the definitions?

Key: 

1. d

2. g.

3. a.

4. h.

5. b.

6. e.

7. c.

8. f

An Illinois yoga studio invited some shelter cats into their class recently, in a bid to help find the felines forever homes. The Homeward Bound Pet Shelter teamed up with Yoga at Connie’s studio to host the class. The shelter cat yoga class was a great success; June is also Adopt-a-Cat month, and the collaborative event raised more than $500 for Homeward Bound. The class also hoped to find homes for the friendly shelter cats.

Connie Pease, who runs Yoga at Connies and her friend Jeanette Skaluba are both cat lovers. Jeanette came up with event after a video of 12-year-old cat Oreo riding on her shoulder went viral. She explained that after seeing how popular cats were on the Internet, she hoped the event would spur on adoptions. Connie, says: “Jeannette Skabula and I have been practicing yoga together for five years at the studio which I own. Jeanette also volunteers at Homeward Bound, and she had the idea using yoga as a way to promote cat adoption. I thought it was great idea since we both love cats. We had only a week to prepare. Jeanette organized the volunteers and the cats. We had no idea this would go viral.”

Homeward Bound Pet Shelter in the city of Decatur, Illinois, posted the video to their YouTube channel in recognition of June being adopt-a-cat month. Connie, adds: “While we’re not sure all the cats would be so up for yoga on demand, they’re cats – we do know from experience they often times can’t resist a yoga mat and a Down Dog. In fact, we might be convinced they take more pleasure in interrupting yoga, than actually co-practicing with human companions. And, of course, as humans we can’t expect to get in the most meditative class we’ve ever had, but there’s something extra special about doing your animal poses right next to the fuzzy creatures who inspired them. In short, animals, and especially cats, are awesome.”

The video footage shows the shelter cats enjoying roaming around the gym whilst interacting with students practicing yoga. The video explains that cat owners are at 40 per cent lower risk of having a heart attack and that interacting with a cat can lower blood pressure.

source: Rex Features

Use the words from the table to complete the sentences.

1. Can you show me the ………? It’s time to cut the film.

2. The photo of my cat with the bunny ears went ……… in a day.

3. I bought a ……….., because I decided to be more active.

4. It’s raining cats and dogs. Can you find ……… till I get there to pick you up?

5. I was ………. in the neighbourhood all night, because I couldn’t sleep.

6. Max came to the retirement home as a ……… and he is a big help.

7. Garfield is the …….. equivalent of a grumpy bachelor who loves lasagna.

8. I tried to make Julia to come to the party, but she …….., so I came alone.

1-video footage, 2-viral, 3-yoga mat, 4-shelter, 5-roaming around, 6-volunteer, 7-feline, 8- resisted

A cat that became famous for being allowed to live in a Devon Tesco store is now facing eviction after the world’s eyes fell on his story – and found cause to complain.

Mango the cat was often seen sleeping on a pile of stock in the middle of the foyer of Tesco’s Blundell Road store in Tiverton and a ‘house’ was made for him from a container.

But after complaints about health and safety were raised when thousands read about him on national websites he is now no longer allowed to enter the store.

An employee who did not want to be named said it was a shame that this has happened to the cat, who has been a regular for years.

“It would have been better if we kept this in Tiverton,” she said, “then this might not have happened.”

The supermarket giant is understood to have sent out a human resources manager earlier today to make the decision.

Online readers called for Mango to be removed from the store.

A man from London said: “This is very unhygienic, and I don’t like the thought of this animal doing what comes naturally near food. It should be removed from the shop immediately.”

While a reader from Kirkcaldy asked: “Why is a mangy cat allowed to stroll around food and everything in a supermarket, when dogs etc are banned?”

But for Mid Devon locals who are used to seeing his friendly face, they disagree.

One customer said: “We are devastated, we adore him.”

Jenny Keen, who was shopping at Tesco at the time, said she saw staff move Mango’s house out into the rain.

She said: “I asked to speak to the manager, who wasn’t there, then I spoke to someone from HR and they said that staff had been instructed that they are not allowed to discuss Mango.”

However, a spokesperson for Tesco denied that he had to be evicted but confirmed he would now have to remain in the foyer due to health and safety reasons. He could often be seen sleeping in the middle of the foyer, on a pile of stock but now his container has been moved close to the exit of the foyer.

She said: “Mango is very welcome and much loved by our customers in Tiverton. He is often seen in our foyer and we have invested in a kennel for him to make him feel more comfortable.

source: http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/

A courageous cat from Croydon has been named PDSA Pet Survivor of the Year after he was caught in a terrible fire, leaving him with extensive burns and fighting for his life. The award recognises Robbie’s sheer determination to pull through despite the odds, as well as his owner’s devotion to his care and the dedication of the vet team who provided his life-saving treatment. Vet charity PDSA set up the competition to find Britain’s pluckiest pet.

According to senior vet Elaine Pendlebury: “We were inundated with amazing stories of pets that have survived against all odds. The entries included pets hit by trains, lost on the moors, crushed by tractors, bitten by snakes and cancer sufferers to name but a few. They were truly inspirational and helped to remind me why I originally decided to become a vet.”

Robbie was nominated for the competition by his now owner, Gill Smith, 54, a retired police officer from South Croydon. Robbie was just six-months-old and thought to be a stray when he took shelter in an abandoned sofa in the village of Ash, Kent, in May this year. But this nearly proved his undoing when it was somehow set alight and consumed by flames, with poor Robbie still inside. He was rushed to nearby Broadway Vets with severe burns to his face, head, legs and paws.

Principal vet Sarah Platt said: “Robbie was in shock when he arrived and needed intensive care. He stayed with us for six-months during which time he had two skin grafts and daily dressing changes. One of his back legs also had to be amputated. But Robbie always loved attention even when he was critically ill – very few animals could have coped the way he did.”

Despite the pain and discomfort, Robbie was very tolerant and patient as he received thousands of pounds worth of treatment to put him back on all-fours. Incredibly, much of this was paid for by the local community after the vet practice published appeals in the local paper.

Gill was visiting Herne Bay when she saw Robbie’s story in the local paper and joined in the fundraising activities to finance his treatment. She visited him regularly, despite living some distance away and, when no owner came forward, she offered Robbie a home for life.

Gill said: “I’m over the moon that Robbie has won PDSA Pet Survivor 2013. He is a unique character and he still bears the physical scars from his fiery ordeal. The tips of his ears are missing, he has a ‘Mohican’ due to the skin graft on his head, and the toes on his remaining back leg were ‘melted’ together into a stump. But despite this he runs around the house like a rocket. He is a little hero, and his bravery and fortitude have inspired many people in the community.”

courageous – bátor
extensive burns – kiterjedt égési sérülések
to recognise – felismerni
sheer determination – teljes elszántság
despite the odds – minden valószínűség ellenére
devotion – odaadás, önfeláldozás
dedication – elhivatottság
to provide – biztosítani, lehetővé tenni
life-saving treatment – életmentő kezelés/beavatkozás
plucky – bátor, merész
according to – valami szerint
to be inundated with- elárasztva lenni valamivel
moor- kikötőhely
to remind- emlékeztetni
to be nominated for- valamire jelölve lenni
retired- nyugdíjas
stray- kóbor (kutya, macska)
to take shelter – menedéket találni
abandoned – elhagyatott
to set alight – lángra gyúlni
to be consumed by flames – a lángok martalékává válni
severe burns – súlyos égési sérülések
paw – mancs
skin graft – bőrátültetés
dressing – kötözés
to cope – megbírkózik valamivel
discomfort – kényelmetlenség, nyugtalanság
incredibly – hihetetlen módon
appeal – felhívás
fundraising – adománygyűjtés

Cat owner saved from fire after pet bites hand to wake her during ‘arson attack’

A fearless feline has been hailed a hero after saving her owner from a suspected arson attack. Pet Taffy bit Tracie Horgan-Hodgkiss to wake her when fire broke out and her bedroom began to fill with smoke. Tracie dialled 999 and minutes later she and the two-year-old tortoiseshell were being helped down a ladder to safety by firefighters.

Tracie, 39, said: “I thought the smoke alarm was my alarm clock and ignored it. Taffy bit my hand until I woke up. I don’t think I’d be here now but for her.” Tracie, of Bridgend, South Wales, was taken to hospital after inhaling smoke. Firefighters said she owes her life to Taffy after the suspected arson attack. Bridgend fire station watch manager Roger Mangan said: “They were very lucky. We got there just at the right time.”

A South Wales Police spokesman said: “A 39-year-old woman was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. A 39-year-old man from Bridgend has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is in custody.”

source: www.mirror.co.uk

fearless – rettenthetetlen
feline – macskaféle
owner – gazdi, tulajdonos
arson – gyújtogatás
to bite (bit, bitten) – megharapni
to dial – tárcsázni
tortoiseshell – teknőctarka (macska)
ladder – létra
smoke alarm – füstjelző
to ignore – figyelmen kívül hagyni, nem vesz tudomásul
to inhale – belélegezni
to owe  one’s life to – valakinek köszönheti az életét
to suffer from – betegségtől szenved
to arrest – letartóztani
on suspicion of – valami gyanújával
in custody – őrizetben

Fill in the gaps with the right word. There is one extra word.

1. The neighbour’s dog ……………….. the postman yesterday.

2. The police ……………….. Jim because he got into a fight at the football match.

3. These days many people install ……………….. in their houses.

4. The ……………….. of the white sports car was really angry.

5. Mike ……………….. the loud music and continued to read.

answers: 1-bit 2-arrested 3-smoke alarms 4-owner 5-ignored

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A kitten escaped death by a whisker after almost an hour spinning in a washing machine on a 50C cycle. Mischievous Poppet hid in the laundry while owner Laura Gilholme’s back was turned. But she ended up in the drum with the dirty clothes.

Laura, 27, said: “I was halfway through putting in a load and she must have jumped into the machine.

"I only realized what had happened when the wash finished and I’d opened the door. She was unconscious and my neighbor tried to do mouth-to-mouth on her but then we rushed her to the vets. There was no response from her, we really thought she’d died.”

But vet John Gunn revived Poppet and nursed her to health.

The lucky black cat is now back at home in ­Audenshaw, Manchester, with Laura and her daughter Megan, six. But it seems Poppet has not learned her lesson.

Laura added: “The first thing she did when she got home was jump straight into the dryer, so we know she’s back to being her usual mischievous self.”

Vet John said that Poppet was an “incredibly lucky cat”.

He added: “I really didn’t think she had a hope. She definitely used up one of her nine lives. This should serve as a gentle reminder to pet owners with young animals."

source: mirror.co.uk

kitten – kismacska
to escape – megmenekülni
whisker – bajusz
to spin – pörögni, forogni
mischievous– csintalan
to hide – rejtőzködni, elbújni
laundry – mosnivaló, szennyes (ruha)
to end up (somewhere) – (valahol) végezni
drum – dob
load – adag
to realize – rájönni
unconscious – eszméletlen
to rush – sietni, rohanni
response – válasz, reakció
to revive – újraéleszteni, életre kelteni
to nurse – ápolni
lucky – szerencsés
incredibly – hihetetlenül
to serve – szolgálni
gentle – gyengéd, enyhe
reminder – emlékeztető

Decide if the statements are TRUE or FALSE.

1) Laura put her kitten into the washing machine with the laundry.  T/F
2) Poppet looked dead when they found her in the washing machine. T/F
3) Vet John Gunn saved Poppet after doing mouth-to-mouth on her. T/F
4) The kitten has learned her lesson and keeps away from the washing machine. T/F
5) Vet John thinks Poppet has only eight lives left now. T/F

Answers: 1) F, 2) T, 3) F, 4) F, 5) T