# Jellico Cat **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 31, 2002, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755 "2002-05-31T17:18:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Many\_Crows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Many\_Crows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Many_Crows)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/1 "2002-05-31T17:18:24Z")
I remember a book? poem? about a Jellico cat from many years ago but can’t find anything in either searching Google or this forum. I’m sure that the SDMB will come up with something. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/2 "2002-05-31T17:24:24Z")
Ummmmm…do you mean “Jellicle” cats from T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats which was made into a Broadway play? ---
**Author:** ![Many\_Crows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Many\_Crows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Many_Crows)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/3 "2002-05-31T17:27:24Z")
Of course that is what I meant. I can now search and probably get results. Thank you for being psychic ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/4 "2002-05-31T17:30:43Z")
> [@](#): > > The Song of the Jellicles > Jellicle Cats come out to-night > Jellicle Cats come one come all: > The Jellicle Moon is shining bright - > Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball. > > Jellicle Cats are black and white, > Jellicle Cats are rather small; > Jellicle Cats are merry and bright, > And pleasant to hear when they caterwaul. > Jellicle Cats have cheerful faces, > Jellicle Cats have bright black eyes; > They like to practise their airs and graces > And wait for the Jellicle Moon to rise. > > Jellicle Cats develop slowly, > Jellicle Cats are not too big; > Jellicle Cats are roly-poly, > They know how to dance a gavotte and a jig. > Until the Jellicle Moon appears > They make their toilette and take their repose: > Jellicle Cats wash behind their ears, > Jellicle dry between their toes. > > Jellicle Cats are white and black, > Jellicle Cats are of moderate size; > Jellicle Cats jump like a jumping-jack, > Jellicle Cats have moonlit eyes. > They’re quitet enough in the morning hours, > They’re quitet enough in the afternoon, > Reserving their terpsichorean powers > To dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon. > > Jellicle Cats are black and white, > Jellicle Cats (as I said) are small; > If it happends to be a stormy night > They will practise a caper or two in the hall. > If it happens the sun is shining bright > You would say they had nothing to do at all: > They are resting and saving themselves to be right > For the Jellicle Moon and the Jellicle Ball. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/5 "2002-05-31T17:39:00Z")
Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats was made into the musical, “Cats.” I’m about 90% sure its in the original cast recording as a sort of chant. ---
**Author:** ![Many\_Crows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Many\_Crows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Many_Crows)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/6 "2002-05-31T18:22:28Z")
Yes yes yes I remember it now from cats! It was a fabulous scene. I must print this off for my hubby. We have just taken in a scrawny, weak, small and FILTHY black and white cat and this fits the bill. I introduce you to… (insert drumroll here) very much! Jellicle! Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Many\_Crows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Many\_Crows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Many_Crows)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/7 "2002-05-31T18:25:57Z")
Bah, I screwed up and the page won’t let me edit. I’m sure you get the point. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2002, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/8 "2002-06-01T13:10:01Z")
How the word came about: T.S. Elliot used the phrase “angelical cat” in front of his goddaughter, who asked “What’s a Jellicle cat?” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/9 "2002-06-03T12:53:02Z")
Whenever I hear that song I replace “Jellicle Cat” with “ **Jelly-filled Cat** ”. Hey, it amuses me. [singing] Jelly-filled Jelly-filled cat! Jelly-filled Jelly-filled cat…! [/singing] ---
**Author:** ![ThreeSarahBirds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@ThreeSarahBirds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThreeSarahBirds)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/10 "2002-06-03T20:17:56Z")
George’s Bush favt music! “Cats” ---
**Author:** ![saepiroth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@saepiroth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saepiroth)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2002, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/11 "2002-06-04T01:57:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ThreeSarahBirds \* > \*\*George’s Bush favt music! “Cats” \*\* what, really? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/12 "2002-06-04T17:51:41Z")
No. As I recall, his favorite was “The Will Rodgers Follies”. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/13 "2002-06-04T17:59:18Z")
Err…I’m assuming that George Bush refers to Sr. not Jr. I have no idea what George Bush Jr.'s favorite musical is. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![RiverRunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2002, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/14 "2002-06-04T19:16:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Annie-Xmas \* > \*\*How the word came about: T.S. Elliot used the phrase “angelical cat” in front of his goddaughter, who asked “What’s a Jellicle cat?” \*\* Annie, that is one of the coolest things I’ve learned in a long time. I didn’t know what he was talking about. From what was the “Pollicle” the Pollicle Dogs derived? Diabolical? RR ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2002, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/15 "2002-06-04T21:35:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RiverRunner \* > \*\* > Annie, that is one of the coolest things I’ve learned in a long time. I didn’t know what he was talking about. From what was the “Pollicle” the Pollicle Dogs derived? Diabolical? > RR \*\* Thank you, and you’ll close. “Appalling.” In case anyone is interested, in Dutch “Jellicle” became “Yellbicle,” and in French “Jalupat.” ---
**Author:** ![Many\_Crows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Many\_Crows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Many_Crows)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/16 "2002-06-05T12:17:52Z")
My reading over the last few days indicates that “Pollicle dog” came from “poor little dog” LOVE the “jelly filled cat”! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2002, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jellico-cat/111755/17 "2002-06-05T12:40:21Z")
> [@](#): > > LOVE the “jelly filled cat”! Yes, they’re quite tasty! Mmmmm… Raspberry jelly-filled cat!