What does'sitting in the Catbird Seat'mean?
"She must be a Dodger fan. Red Barber announces the Dodger games over the radio and he uses those expressions... 'sitting in the catbird seat' means sitting pretty, like a batter with three balls and no strikes on him." See also: in the box-seat.
Where did the term'Catbird Seat'come from?
That includes the first mention of it in print, in James Thurber's 55 Short Stories from New Yorker, November 1942: "She must be a Dodger fan. Red Barber announces the Dodger games over the radio and he uses those expressions... 'sitting in the catbird seat' means sitting pretty, like a batter with three balls and no strikes on him."
What does in the Catbird Seat mean in poker?
You could say you’re in the catbird seat if you have the upper hand over friends in a poker game. The saying applies to situations where you are the center of attention and on display to the group or community.
Are the Detroit wings in the catbird seat in 2022?
— John Myers, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Despite the Wings’ catbird seat, the series couldn’t have been closer. — Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2022 The company makes packaging, which should put it in the catbird seat as e-commerce became many people’s go-to during the pandemic.
Where did the term sitting in The Catbird Seat come from?
Sitting in the catbird seat means being in a superior or position or a place where one has the advantage. Sitting in the catbird seat means one is in a position of power. The term sitting in the catbird seat originated in the American South, and was popularized by a sports announcer named Red Barber.
What is a catbird slang for?
Being in a position of advantage or superiority. The term originated in the American South, where the catbird is quite common.
Who wrote sitting in The Catbird Seat?
James Thurber"The Catbird Seat" is a 1942 short story by James Thurber. The story first appeared in The New Yorker on November 14, 1942. The story was also published in the 1945 anthology The Thurber Carnival.
What is the main idea of The Catbird Seat?
One of the more important themes of “The Catbird Seat” is the struggle for men and women to understand each other and live together. In Thurber's work, the battle is always between a weak, nervous man and a strong, domineering woman.
Is there another name for a cat bird?
The gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), also spelled grey catbird, is a medium-sized North American and Central American perching bird of the mimid family....Gray catbird.Gray catbird Temporal range:Genus:Dumetella C.T. Wood, 1837Species:D. carolinensisBinomial nameDumetella carolinensis (Linnaeus, 1766)14 more rows
What are two themes of The Catbird Seat?
Men and Women. One of the more important themes of "The Catbird Seat" is the struggle for men and women to understand each other and live together. In Thurber's work, the battle is always between a weak, nervous man and a strong, domineering woman.
What is the mood of The Catbird Seat?
The Catbird Seat takes a very mysterious but driven tone. Mr. Martin knows what he wants however Thurber doesn't necessarily tell us everything all at once. He leaves room for interpretation.
Who is the antagonist in The Catbird Seat?
Mrs. Ulgine BarrowsIn James Thurber's "The Catbird Seat," protagonist Erwin Martin seeks to rub out the forces of change that have upset his life. Martin concocts a complicated scheme to kill Mrs. Ulgine Barrows, his antagonist, after he senses his job is threatened.
Who is the narrator in The Catbird Seat?
Mr. Martin is the main character in “The Catbird Seat,” and while the story has a third-person narration, it is filtered through Mr. Martin's perspective.
What does Martin mean when he says that if he couldn't rub out Mrs Barrows he would have to place the rubbing out of Ulgine Barrows in the inactive file forever?
(1) “rub out” suggests “to erase”; Mr. Martin thinks of Mrs. Ulgine Barrows as an “error” he would like to erase. (2) Cunning: (adj.)
Why does Mr Martin bring cigarettes to Mrs Barrows House?
The cigarettes represent Mr. Martin's willingness to act out of character in order to resolve the situation with Mrs. Barrows.
Is a catbird a Mockingbird?
Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbirds are larger than Gray Catbirds with a paler belly. They also have 2 white wingbars, which Gray Catbirds do not have.
Are catbirds aggressive?
Catbirds are particularly aggressive backyard birds. In fact, their name gives away a little about their behavior. Catbirds hide in shrubbery and make cat-like noises to warn off predators and other birds.
How many types of Catbird are there?
Gray catbirdGreen catbirdBlack catbirdSpotted catbirdAbyssinian catbirdTooth‑billed bowerbirdCatbird/Representative species
Are catbirds and mockingbirds in the same family?
Mimidae, family of Western Hemisphere songbirds, order Passeriformes, known as the mimic thrushes, or mimids. They include the mockingbirds, catbirds, and thrashers. The family, containing approximately 35 species, is notable for its excellent songsters and mimics.
What does "catbird" mean in the executive branch?from idioms.thefreedictionary.com
In a powerful or influential position. The phrase likely refers to the catbird's preference for high tree branches (a position that helps it to avoid predators). As the CEO's assistant, you are definitely sitting in the catbird seat. I know you were hoping to be elected president over Joe, but, as vice president, you're in the catbird seat if he resigns.
What does "catbird" mean in baseball?from idioms.thefreedictionary.com
Being in a position of advantage or superiority. The term originated in the American South, where the catbird is quite common. It is thought to allude to the bird’s habit of singing from a very high perch in trees. It came into common usage in the 1940s when Mississippi-born sportscaster Red Barber would use it, for example, for a pitcher who was almost certain to strike out all the batters. Barber said he himself first heard the term in a poker game where he had bluffed all but one player into dropping out, but the remaining player, who had said from the start that he was sitting in the catbird seat, proved to have an ace and an ace in the hole. James Thurber used the expression as the title of a short story about a mild-mannered accountant who was so irritated by a colleague using this and other terms that he planned to murder her.
What does "sit up and take notice" mean?from idioms.thefreedictionary.com
sit up and take notice, to (make someone)
Definition of catbird seat
Synonyms & Antonyms Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About catbird seat
Did you know?
In the catbird seat was among the numerous folksy expressions that legendary baseball broadcaster Red Barber used to delight listeners. Some say he invented the expression; others say that he dug it up from his Southern origins. But the truth may be far stranger than those rumors.
Examples of catbird seat in a Sentence
your fluency in French should put you in the catbird seat for getting the Paris posting in the wake of the natural disaster, this obscure bureaucrat was suddenly and unexpectedly thrust into the catbird seat
What does "catbird" mean in the executive branch?
In a powerful or influential position. The phrase likely refers to the catbird's preference for high tree branches (a position that helps it to avoid predators). As the CEO's assistant, you are definitely sitting in the catbird seat. I know you were hoping to be elected president over Joe, but, as vice president, you're in the catbird seat if he resigns.
What does "sit up and take notice" mean?
sit up and take notice, to (make someone)
What does "sitting in the catbird seat" mean?
'sitting in the catbird seat' means sitting pretty, like a batter with three balls and no strikes on him.". See also: in the box-seat.
What is the meaning of the phrase "catbird"?
This is an American phrase - which is unsurprising as the grey catbird which is the probable source of the phrase is a North American species (there's also an Australian catbird). It's one of a group of birds called the mimic thrushes. They include mockingbirds and, as you might expect, they are adept mimics. The catbird is named for its ability to mimic the sound of a cat's miaow.
Why are catbirds called catbirds?
The catbird is named for its ability to mimic the sound of a cat's miaow. Catbirds seek out the highest perches in trees to sing and display. The allusion to that is most likely to be the derivation of the term. It may also be the source of an earlier term with much the same meaning - ' sitting pretty '. The phrase appears to have originated in the ...
Where did the phrase "sitting pretty" come from?
It may also be the source of an earlier term with much the same meaning - ' sitting pretty '. The phrase appears to have originated in the American south, although the date and circumstances are uncertain. There's certainly an association with the sport of baseball, and most of the early citations of the phrase mention the game.
When was the phrase "She must be a Dodger fan" first used?
That includes the first mention of it in print, in James Thurber's 55 Short Stories from New Yorker, November 1942: "She must be a Dodger fan.
What does "sitting in the catbird seat" mean?
Barrows must have picked up the expression from the baseball broadcaster Red Barber, and that "sitting in the catbird seat" meant "'sitting pretty', like a batter with three balls and no strikes on him.". The phrase " in the catbird seat " was among the numerous folksy expressions used by radio ...
What is a catbird seat?
" The catbird seat " is an American English idiomatic phrase used to describe an enviable position, often in terms of having the upper hand or greater advantage in any type of dealing among parties. The phrase derives from the common catbird 's habit ...
When was the term "catbird seat" first used?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first documented use occurred in a 1942 humorous short story by James Thurber titled " The Catbird Seat ", which features a character, Mrs.
Who said "If we swing it, we'll be sitting pretty in the catbird seat"?
1958: P. G. Wodehouse 's 1958 novel Cocktail Time used the phrase: "I get you. If we swing it, we'll be sitting pretty, ‘in the catbird seat’."
Who said "Patrick Mahomeboy is in the catbird seat for MVP"?
2018–present: Shannon Sharpe uses this phrase on Skip and Shannon: Undisputed while debating with Skip Bayless, Sharpe uses the phrase often to explain who has the upper hand in the sport example "Patrick Mahomeboy is in the catbird seat for MVP".
What is the catbird seat?from enotes.com
Thurber’s “The Catbird Seat” is the story of Mr. Martin, who has decided that his co-worker needs to be removed from the office. He comes up with an intricate plan to make that happen. The reader...
What is the point of view style in Catbird Seat?from enotes.com
The term for the point of view style in The Catbird Seat is “third person limited” which means that it still uses a narrator of sorts , but the narrator knows the feelings and thoughts of one of the...
What are some character traits of Mr. Martin and Mrs. Barrows in James Thurber's "The Catbird Seat"?from enotes.com
In the story, Mr. Martin is cunning, methodical, and diligent. He is also a loyal and reliable employee. Because of these traits, Mr. Martin is regarded with great respect by his boss, Mr....
How many characters are in the Catbird Seat?from enotes.com
There are only three characters in James Thurber's story "The Catbird Seat." Erwin Martin and Ulgine Barrows are major characters and Mr. Fitweller is a minor character. Erwin Martin is a timid,...
What is the conflict in Thurber's Catbird Seat?from enotes.com
The conflict in Thurber's "The Catbird Seat" is Mr. Martin's opposition to his co-worker, Ulgine Barrows. Mr. Martin, a staid and steadfast longtime employee of F & S, is disgusted by Mrs....
Who is the head of the filing department in the Catbird Seat?from enotes.com
The point of view in "The Catbird Seat" is very definitely that of Mr. Martin, head of the filing department for a big corporation. James Thurber focuses intently on Martin's perceptions and mental...
Who wrote the summary of the Catbird Seat?from enotes.com
You may have noticed that the eNotes editors who originally wrote the summary guides for James Thurber' s "The Catbird Seat" gave two different thematic outlines for the story: "Men and Women" and...
Meaning
The expression “the catbird seat” implies that someone has an advantageous position in a situation or over you. For instance, they could have the catbird seat in a poker game or on the sales leaderboard.
Origin
The expression “the catbird seat” originates from the North American Catbird. Therefore, it’s a uniquely American saying, and you won’t hear it very often in other world areas. The catbird is part of the thrush family that mimics the calls and movements of other birds to distract them.
Ways People May Say The Catbird Seat Incorrectly
While the saying has its origin in the “catbird,” it doesn’t apply to birds when using it in conversation. Using the expression in reference to cats or birds is incorrect. Using the phrase to describe a high or lofty viewing position is also the incorrect use of the saying.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase The Catbird Seat
You can tell someone that they are in “the catbird seat” if they are in an advantageous position in life. The saying applies to social and professional situations. You could say that the leading sales rep for the month is in the catbird seat with the company and the boss.
What are the adaptations of catbirds?
To thrive in these habitats birds must have special adaptations such as the ability to respond to frequent nest predation and parasitism and to forage on a wide variety of seasonally available foods. Armed with these adaptations, catbirds are well prepared for the disturbed habitats of the 21st century's fragmented landscape.
How big is a catbird?
The catbird is fairly large for a songbird, almost 8 inches long , and has much to sing about. For unlike almost all neotropical migratory songbirds, the catbird has adapted well to the widespread urban and suburban habitats created by people.
What do catbirds eat?
Although their bills are too thin to crack open seeds, they will eat halved oranges, raisins, peanut butter, and fruit-flavored suet. They are also quite fond of bird baths and whole families will communally bathe.
What bird sings from a perch?
Singing from a concealed perch, the catbird truly enjoys its comfortable position. With its tail held down, body feathers fluffed, and wings drooping at its sides, the catbird exuberantly sings a series of musical whistles and catlike meows, interspersed with imitations of other birds' songs.
Can a catbird identify a cowbird?
Most songbirds are unable to differentiate cowbird eggs from their own but catbirds can. Gray Catbirds can identify cowbird eggs and will eject them from the nest. By not raising cowbird young, the catbird is able to give all of its gathered food to its own babies.
Where do catbirds live?
In natural areas, catbirds are fond of wet, densely-vegetated, shrubby habitats such as bogs, streamsides, and tree fall gaps. These small, ephemeral, fragmented patches occur sporadically across the landscape and are frequently situated between other habitats. Although these areas have abundant food, cover, and water, competition for resources is fierce and predators are abundant.
Is a gray catbird a songbird?
Although it is hardly among the most colorful of our songbirds, the Gray Catbird deserves our admiration for being one of the most adaptable. Its presence in our own backyards helps us connect with the natural world and reminds us that for most songbirds, the loss of natural habitats imperils them. The catbird's adaptability is the exception not the rule.
Where did the phrase "catbird" come from?
But where did that phrase come from? It’s been around since the 19th century, probably originating in the south, where there are lots of catbirds. The Gray Catbird is normally a skulker, foraging near the ground. [Mewing of a Gray Catbird] But during breeding season, when it’s protecting its territory, the catbird is likely to pick fights with others of its species. As part of the competition, the two combatants sing their way to higher and higher perches. The one who finally takes the highest perch is … well … sitting in the catbird seat, with the best view, in control, top bird, so to speak. [Song of Gray Catbird]
Who recorded the Gray Catbird?
Call recorded by W.L. Hershberger. Song recorded by G.F. Budney.
