How do you use "The cat's pyjamas" in a sentence?

He thinks he's the cat's pyjamas. This car is the cat's pyjamas. Back then, she was the cat's pyjamas.

The cat's pyjamas

Q: What does "The cat's pyjamas" mean?

Something or someone excellent; the best. Like 'the bee's knees,' 'the cat's pyjamas' describes something excellent—the height of quality or style. A 1920s expression that sounds charmingly dated but remains understood.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: Something or someone excellent; the best.

优秀的东西或人；最好的。

Algo o alguien excelente; lo mejor.

素晴らしいもの・人；最高のもの。

아주 훌륭한 것이나 사람; 최고.

Like 'the bee's knees,' 'the cat's pyjamas' describes something excellent—the height of quality or style. A 1920s expression that sounds charmingly dated but remains understood.

像'bee's knees'一样，'cat's pyjamas'（猫的睡衣）形容非常出色的东西——品质或风格的巅峰。这是1920年代的表达，听起来有些古老但仍然被理解。

Como 'the bee's knees', 'the cat's pyjamas' describe algo excelente—lo máximo en calidad o estilo. Una expresión de los años 1920 que suena encantadoramente anticuada pero sigue siendo comprendida.

「bee's knees」（ハチの膝）と同様、「cat's pyjamas」（猫のパジャマ）は素晴らしいもの—最高の品質やスタイル—を表します。1920年代の表現で、古風な響きがありますが、今でも通じます。

'The bee's knees'와 마찬가지로, 'the cat's pyjamas'는 뭔가 훌륭한 것—품질이나 스타일의 최고를 묘사한다. 1920년대의 표현으로 다소 구식이지만 여전히 이해되는 표현이다.

Examples

He thinks he's the cat's pyjamas.
他觉得自己了不起
Se cree la mar de importante
彼は自分がすごいと思っている
그는 자기가 대단하다고 생각한다.
This car is the cat's pyjamas.
这辆车棒极了
Este coche es de primera
この車は最高だ
이 차는 최고다.
Back then, she was the cat's pyjamas.
那时候，她可是风云人物
En aquel entonces, ella era lo máximo
当時、彼女は最高だった
그 당시 그녀는 최고였다.

Pronunciation

/ðə kæts pəˈdʒɑːməz/

Usage Guide

Context: excellence, praise, style

Tone: admiring, slightly ironic

✓ Do Say

The cat's pyjamas
最棒的东西
Lo mejor de lo mejor
最高のもの
최고의 것
Cat's pyjamas
顶呱呱
De primera
最高だ
최고다

Common Mistakes

Sounds dated but still understood

Origin & History

1920s American slang, part of the same trend as 'the bee's knees.' Absurd animal phrases were fashionable. 'Cat's meow' was similar. The British spelling 'pyjamas' (vs. 'pajamas') gives it a British feel.

Etymology: 1920s nonsense phrase, same era as bee's knees

First recorded: 1920s American

Cultural Context

Era: 1920s onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: 1920s slang; Jazz age

Regional notes: American origin, global usage.

Variations

The cat's pyjamasCat's meowCat's whiskers