proverb · Words worth keeping
An old cat laps as much as a young kitten.
An old cat laps as much as a young kitten.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Age does not necessarily remove appetite or desire. The older cat drinking as much as the kitten challenges an expectation that wanting must diminish.
Example
An older relative remains enthusiastic about a favourite outing and asks to be included rather than overlooked.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The saying compares two ages doing the same ordinary thing. Its force lies in the older creature refusing the diminished appetite the observer expects. Applied figuratively, it can recognise that someone’s interests or wishes remain strong later in life. It is not a biological rule about cats or people, and it should not be used to demand equal capacity from individuals. A careful reading lets a person describe what they still enjoy rather than assuming that age settles the matter.
When to use it
Use it to challenge an unsupported assumption that someone’s interests have faded with age.
Keep in mind
Desire and capacity differ between individuals; age alone does not establish either.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English