Latest news with #GrumpyCat
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
15 things you never knew about cats
We feed them, cuddle them, and live alongside them, but how much do you really know about your cat? While dogs are fairly up front about things – when they look like they're happy to see you, they actually are – cats can be a lot more mysterious, and their private lives extend far beyond the knowledge of their owners. Here are a few nuggets you probably never knew about the nation's second most popular pet… 1. Cats genuinely do land on their feet This sounds like a myth, but it's true – while falling, a cat will rotate its body towards the ground, before splaying its limbs like a parachutist. They're programmed to self-right in mid-air, provided all their reflexes are in good working order. This isn't something you want to test, though, so just take our word for it. 2. Disneyland employs roughly 200 cats When the park shuts up shop for the day, Disneyland employs a crack team of feline assassins to keep the rides and stalls clear of rats and mice. If Mickey and Minnie go missing, you'll know why. 3. Cats cannot taste sweet things A 2005 study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia found that cats are incapable of tasting sweetness, as they do not have the corresponding taste bud. To cats, life tastes of salt and bitterness. We guess that explains Grumpy Cat. 4. Cats bring you mice to try and teach you how to hunt Cats are instinctive hunters, and feline parents will teach their kittens the basics by bringing them dead or dying rodents as beginner-level prey. Given that you are their surrogate family, it may be of some concern to your cat that you're self-evidently a rubbish hunter and in need of a guiding paw. An ex-mouse on your pillow is a backhanded compliment – they're showing they care, but also that they think you're a bit useless. 5. Cats eat grass to deliberately throw up Every cat owner can relate. Your moggy meanders into the garden and starts lunching on the lawn, before returning indoors just in time to vomit all over the furnishings. It's disgusting, certainly, but deliberate – cats cannot digest grass, so eating it is a somewhat unsavoury form of purge. 6. Cats are either right or left-pawed In the absence of thumbs, cats have limited dexterity, but every kitty is still right or left-sided. For reasons unknown, male cats are usually left-handed while females tend to favour the right. 7. Cats sweat through their paws Full body sweating would leave a cat's fur a matted mess, but cats do sweat through their few hairless areas – mostly their paws. This may solve the mystery of the wet paw-prints on the floor on a dry day in July. 8. Cats are an invasive species That's right, your beloved Mrs Whiskers is in fact a meddlesome, ecosystem-ruining colonist. Some hold them responsible for the extinction of at least 33 species of bird (although others says there's no concrete proof that they're solely to blame). There are now around 600 million stray and domestic cats spread through every nation, and the IUCN named cats in the top 100 worst invasive species on Earth. 9. Cat urine glows in the dark Cat urine contains high levels of phosphorus, so when exposed to UV light it shines like a Christmas tree. We don't know what anyone would do with this information, and frankly, we don't want to know. 10. Every cat's nose is unique A cat's nose is equivalent to a human finger, as it bears a pattern of bumps and ridges that is unique to each cat. No one has yet worked out how to dust for 'nose prints', but it might solve who nicked that fish finger from your plate while you were in the loo. 11. Purring helps cats heal their bones Outlandish, we know, but hear us out. A study in 2001 discovered that feline purring measures between 25 and 150 hertz, exactly the range at which bone and tissue repair themselves most effectively. The ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as deities, and it's starting to sound like they had a point. 12. A cat (allegedly) spent 20 years as mayor of an Alaskan town A mysterious power-broker in the murky world of Alaskan politics, Stubbs the cat ruled the tiny town of Talkeetna with an iron paw after his election in 1997, by a populace apparently dissatisfied with their human candidates. Years passed, and Stubbs became something of a celebrity, until his legitimacy was called into question by a reporter for NPR, who pointed out that Talkeetna had never actually had a mayor, let alone a mayoral election. Stubbs died in 2017, bringing an end to the controversy and his two-decade reign. 13. Most cats are lactose intolerant Movie cats are invariably accompanied by saucers of milk, but real adult cats are better off sticking to water. Like most mammals, adult cats often cannot digest lactose, which can ferment in the gut and lead to an upset tummy. 14. The world's oldest cat died aged 38 The cat's name was Creme Puff, and she lived a long and happy life with owner Jake Perry in the city of Austin, Texas. According to Guinness World Records, she was born in 1967 and died in 2005, aged 38 years and three days. 15. Cats were once massacred after an announcement by the Pope (apparently!) Pope Gregory IX was not a cat person. Following trumped-up reports from an envoy that cats were being worshipped by Satanists, some sources say he released a papal bull condemning the animals. A wave of killing followed, possibly helping rats proliferate before the Black Death.
The Verge
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
A-lister antics and Schedule A shenanigans
Summer blockbusters like the new Superman and Jurassic World movies may be doing great at the box office, but promoting them is more complicated than ever. The old celebrity playbook of magazine profiles, TV chat shows, and press junkets isn't enough in an era of audience fragmentation. Publicists now have to strategize which podcasts to make time for, and whether their clients will eat chicken on YouTube with Amelia Dimoldenberg or Sean Evans. This week on The Vergecast, guest host Mia Sato talks to Vulture's Fran Hoepfner to break down the ever-changing new media circuit, whether you're a beloved A-lister, a formerly beloved A-lister, or an aspiring Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Pocket Casts | More Then, we take a deep dive with Sarah Fackrell into a controversial legal tactic brands are using to go after online sellers hawking everything from Grumpy Cat T-shirts to closet hooks. Finally, Victoria Song joins Mia to answer a Vergecast hotline from a listener wondering whether an AI translator will be able to keep up with his partner's Colombian mother. If you've got a question for us, call 866-VERGE11 or e-mail vergecast@ Want to learn more about what we talk about today? Here are some links to get you started:
Extra.ie
09-07-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
Maybe we like the misery - The enduring popularity of the 'miserable git'
What does happiness look like? You could say that the answer is different for everybody. Some people find joy in the simple everyday things in life like a sunny day, a walk in nature, having enough money to live well and being healthy as a cricket. And then there are the other types. We all know them. The ones who seem to be miserable all the time, even if they have all of the good things in life. The Mrs Doyle character from Father Ted, who famously once said 'Maybe I like the misery' epitomises certain people, although her character was funny, she still managed to be a bit miserable about life in general. She did have Father Jack to contend with I suppose. What does happiness look like? You could say that the answer is different for everybody. Pic: Channel 4 A poem by the poet 'John Cooper Clarke' comes to mind where he describes that kind of person, the ones who are like a grey cloud descending, a 'miserable git' … 'Like a death at a birthday party, you have to spoil the fun, Like a sucked and spat out smartie you're no use to anyone' I've heard certain people described as the kind that would 'prefer to curse the darkness, than light a candle'. The movie Grumpy Old Men springs to mind, with the two old characters in that film epitomising what it means to be a cantankerous old so and so. The big blue eyed cat known as Grumpy, went viral for his face that looked perpetually cross. The Grinch also comes to mind for his 'loathe entirely' speech. We love them, in spite of their cantankerous personalities. he big blue eyed cat known as Grumpy, went viral for his face that looked perpetually cross. The Grinch also comes to mind for his 'loathe entirely' speech. We love them, in spite of their cantankerous personalities. Pic: Facebook/Grumpy Cat The book 'Are you a miserable old git', by Andrew John and Stephan Blake sums it up rather brilliantly, the book was published in 2006 but still reads very true to this day, and while it doesn't actively endorse being a grump, it still sees some value in that particular type of individual, if only comedic value. They say, 'Whether wielding the sly insult or offering direct contempt, pouring the coldest of water on the grandest of plans or spoiling the happiest of days, or else simply groaning and grumbling in the background in counterpoint to the cheerful bustle of lesser mortals' lives, the commentary of the grump adds wit and savour to everyday existence'. Such a colourful description almost makes one want to aspire to grumpiness, but then you would be lumped into that esteemed list of narky characters like Winston Churchill, W.C. Fields, and Groucho Marx. I've heard certain people described as the kind that would 'prefer to curse the darkness, than light a candle'. Pic: Ron Batzdorff/Imagine Ent/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock The authors go on to say; 'The world has always produced its share of grumpy, moody, grouchy, pessimistic, world-weary, cynical and curmudgeonly types. This marvellous menagerie of moaners will be sure to brighten your day, for the truth is – whether we're laughing with them or at them – miserable old gits are funny!' But while there is a certain humour in listening to a moaning Minnie, it does get tiresome after a while, it has a very short shelf life of usefulness, before it becomes wearisome and difficult to listen to. One of the worst traits of a cranky person can be holding grudges. These people can hold onto a grudge for years, or decades, never speaking of, or to, the person, who is probably totally unbothered by the fact that you don't like them, or have a 'bone to pick' with them, or something you are not willing to let go of. This is always only damaging to the person holding the grudge, as a wise old sage once said 'Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die' Worth a smile at least.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How AI-Generated, Vaguely Italian Memes Are Taking Over Your Teen's Social Media Feed
If you're the parent of a t(w)een, the memes that fill your social media feeds are probably a whole lot different than your teenager's. You might be used to seeing a distracted boyfriend, a dog sitting in an office that's on fire, or Drake in 'Hotline Bling' on Facebook or Instagram. But if you were to scroll through your child's TikTok feed — or overhear them talking about new memes — you might think they were looking at sneak peeks of an off-the-rails new Pixar film or that they were taking up a new language. More from SheKnows Your Teen Is Probably 'Aura Farming' - Here's What It Means (& Why It's Basically a Joke) Because what in the Grumpy Cat is 'Italian Brainrot?!' It's a new internet craze featuring a whole host of outlandish, AI-generated characters that have Italian-sounding names said in an exaggerated male text-to-speech voice alongside nonsensical phrases. Some names are inspired by actual Italian words, while others just have a similar cadence. According to Forbes, some of the top characters are Ballerina Cappuccina, a dancer with a coffee cup head, Tralalero Tralala, a three-legged shark wearing blue Nike kicks, and Lirili Laria, a sandal-wearing elephant-cactus hybrid walking through the desert. If you're trying to wrap your head around what sounds like a Mad Lib, we understand (and we're in the same boat). But these wild mashups have gained a cult-like following of young people who love to view and create the AI-generated memes. Why? Well … why do teens latch onto anything? Experts think the surreal and absurd characters have become something for teens and their peers to enjoy and laugh about when so many other parts of their lives might be difficult. This brainrot is a means of distraction. And no, if you've been biting your nails waiting to find out what 'brainrot' or 'brain rot' is, it's not a medical condition. Your child is not sick. 'Brain rot' — which was chosen as Oxford University Press' 2024 Word of the Year — just means spending excessive amounts of time on screens watching 'trivial' or 'unchallenging' content. And sure, that could supposedly impact someone's cognitive function in the same way excessive screen time could have a negative impact on anyone's health. So there is no need to necessarily be any more concerned than usual if your teen is constantly talking about Tralalero Tralala. Or, perhaps they are now fans of Mexican, German, or French Brainrot characters. They might even be enthralled with Tung Tung Tung Sahur, a stick of wood from Indonesia who sings with Ballerina Cappuccina in a video that has more than 5.4 million likes. In many ways, this is a modern way for teens to be creative and unwind. But (… we all knew there was a 'but' coming, right?), there are problems with the trend. Parents reports that some teachers are finding that students can easily derail a lesson by mentioning one of the characters or their catchphrase. And speaking of those catchphrases, some are being called offensive. Remember that Nike-loving shark? His voiceover says both 'Allah,' the Arabic word for 'god,' and 'porco,' an Italian word for pig. According to Forbes, members of the Muslim community are upset about this combination. 'No one will claim responsibility for the perceived Islamophobia — some say it's just an inadvertent coincidence stemming from absurdity,' Freddy Tran Nager, a clinical associate professor of communications at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, told the outlet. 'But it's not unusual for memes to be appropriated by extremist groups, such as Pepe the Frog being adopted by white nationalists.' And so Italian Brainrot does have the ability to be incredibly offensive. Especially when not all social media users speak the language most closely associated with the trend. Even some of the backstories of these beloved characters can lean into NSFW territory, and then, of course, there is the negative environmental impact of creating these AI-generated photos and videos in the first place. So, what should parents be doing about Italian Brainrot? Well, like with any technological craze, going over some boundaries is a good idea. Are there certain hours when kids have to stop scrolling (no matter how much they want to learn more about Chimpanzini Bananini)? Let them know that chatting with their friends about Bombardiro Crocodilo is probably OK … as long as it's not in the middle of biology class. And it's always a good idea to remind kids that they should research what they are saying before mindlessly repeating. Capisce?Best of SheKnows 'Post-Mother's Day Letdown' Is a Real & Valid Thing Every Single Celebrity Parent Who Welcomed Twins Beyoncé, Chris Hemsworth, & More Celebs Share the Most Important Life Lessons They've Learned From Their Moms
The Age
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
What does it take to be the enfant terrible of the cat world? Meet judge Steven Meserve
W hat makes someone a cat person? It's an elusive question for a seemingly innocuous creature, one that defined the early days of YouTube's viral videos (see: Grumpy Cat, Nyan Cat and many more) and fuelled heated debate between Donald Trump and Taylor Swift, childless cat lady and international superstar. Mostly, though, you either love them or hate them. On the day that world-renowned cat judge Steven Meserve visits The Sydney Morning Herald, six award-winning show cats and owners in tow, the divide is similarly obvious. While some staff can barely contain their excitement, others maintain a cautious distance ('The only good cat is a dead cat,' remarks one colleague). For Meserve, 52, whose name has become inextricably tied to the feline stars he judges, the path to becoming cat person wasn't obvious. 'I did not grow up with cats, believe it or not,' he says. It wasn't until, at 18, he spied an advertisement for a Bengal cat in a local Boston newspaper that his fate was sealed. 'His name was Alex and this is the cat that changed me. You know, for non-cat people to become cat people they have to eventually have this connection with one cat – and they never realised [they were a cat person] until it happens.' Meserve and Alex did the rounds on the Boston 'cat fancy' circuit, but the hobby fell to the wayside when Meserve decided to go to college, later establishing a successful career in PR and marketing. His work took him out of his home town of Boston to San Francisco and eventually London, where he lived for more than 10 years working in fashion PR. In his spare time he worked with the International Cat Association (TICA), judging shows and eventually becoming their regional director for Europe. 'Sometimes I was at Paris Fashion Week or London Fashion Week and the next weekend I would go to a leisure centre in, like, South London, judging cats.' But cats have only recently become his bread and butter, in what he refers to as his 'second act'. Loving Cats Worldwide (LCWW), the organisation he founded in 2015 (which took off during the pandemic) and dedicated to cat events and expos, has made Meserve an internet sensation. On Instagram and TikTok he's amassed a combined half a million followers, and his most-watched TikTok video, of a fluffy grey Siberian, has more than 11.4 million views. Today, his work takes him around the world, from Tokyo to Amsterdam, Jakarta to Bogota. Meserve is speaking to this masthead in Sydney, ahead of a six-week tour of Australia headlining the inaugural Oz Feline Fair. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes Meserve's videos so captivating – adorable cats are, after all, a dime a dozen online these days. But Meserve is not one to be upstaged. He commands the stage with a swagger, lithely recounting his feline expertise while calmly stretching, stroking and lifting the cat for the audience to behold its full glory. There's an absurdity to the whole charade, too: Meserve's earnest and serious commentary at odds with the placid and bemused-looking cat. Meserve says it wasn't always this way. 'I was always a little awkward as a child. I mean, I really didn't come into myself until later on,' he says. Loading But on stage, a cat by his side, he is in his element. 'Animals have always felt safe with me,' he says. 'I was that person at the party who couldn't care less about the people and would always go hang out with the dog or the cat.' The work isn't for everyone. Judges must obtain formal qualifications, learning the unique characteristics of more than 70 breeds that shows acknowledge. Cats are judged according to a standard of points that correspond to their breed, which include everything from body length to nostril size, health and temperament. Judges must assess all this while putting on a show for the crowd and ensuring the cat stays calm and comfortable. 'We are talking for eight, 10 hours a day, and with zero breaks, with a cat on the table. And we're entertaining you but you're going to sit with me for 10 minutes, and then someone else is going to come, and I'm doing the same thing over and over again. We don't even ask stage actors to work that long. Never mind movie actors, right?' says Meserve. Founding LCWW and breaking out of the traditional cat fancy circuit hasn't been without controversy. Historically, Meserve says, cat competitions have been conducted in private and focused on pedigrees. With LCWW, his goal is to bring the cat fancy world to a new, younger audience and shine a light on rescue and mixed breed cats. Half of his 'CATstravaganza' show's categories are regularly devoted to non-pedigree cats, which includes rescues and household cats, while Meserve campaigns for rescue cats through his work with local shelters and a podcast, Everyone Can Have One More Cat. Criticism has come from both cat welfare advocates (who criticise the continued use of pedigree cats) and traditional show aficionados. 'You can say I'm like Vegemite, right? You either love me or you hate me. 'But we're disrupting an industry that's never been disrupted, and that is great because that needs to happen.' Outside of the spotlight, Meserve spends his time in Portugal, where he lives with his long-term partner Thiago Pellizaro, a Brazilian he met in London. The pair live in an 'old, 10-bedroom pink mansion in a little village south of Porto that hadn't been lived in for 20 years' with their six cats (including his 'heart cat', Stone, who has his own Instagram page) and two King Charles cavaliers. Pellizaro is now training to be a cat judge himself – evidence that no one in Meserve's orbit is immune to the allure of cats.
