kit cat etymology

Etymology

The term "kit cat" has two possible etymologies:

• From the Kit-Cat Club: A group of prominent English politicians, writers, and artists who met at the Kit-Cat Club in London in the early 18th century. The name of the club is believed to have come from Christopher Cat, a pastry cook who owned the premises where the club met.
• From the expression "kit and kin": An old English phrase that refers to one's family and close relatives. In this sense, a kit cat could be a small portrait of a family member or friend.

Meaning

A kit cat is a type of portrait that depicts the head and shoulders of the sitter, typically facing the viewer. It is usually a small painting, around 12 inches by 14 inches, and is often framed in an oval shape. Kit cats became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as a fashionable and affordable way to commission portraits.

Origin

The origin of the kit cat portrait is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have developed from the miniature portraits that were popular in the 17th century. These miniatures were small, oval-shaped paintings that were often carried in lockets or worn as jewelry. Kit cats were larger than miniatures, but they still retained the oval shape and the focus on the sitter's head and shoulders.

It is thought that the Kit-Cat Club played a role in popularizing kit cats. The club's members commissioned many portraits of themselves in this style, and the paintings were often displayed at the club's meetings. The kit cat portrait soon became a popular form of portraiture among the wealthy and fashionable classes.

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