fat-cat
UK[ˈfæt kæt]US[ˈfæt kæt]
n
A wealthy and privileged person, especially a businessperson or politician who benefits from a system perceived as unfair.
n
A person who makes large political donations, especially to gain influence.
Morpheme Breakdown
fat
cat
fat
large/rich
cat
person/animal
Etymology
The term "fat-cat" is a vivid American English compound from the early 20th century, originally used in political slang. The literal image is of a well-fed, complacent domestic cat, a creature of leisure and comfort. The morpheme "fat" metaphorically extends from physical size to signify wealth and surplus, while "cat" serves as a zoomorphic label for a person, often implying cunning or a predatory nature in the pursuit of comfort. Thus, the compound's logic perfectly captures the concept of a rich, influential, and often resented individual who thrives within an established system.
Analysis
Structure: fat (large/rich) + cat (person/animal)
- fat: From Old English fǣtt ('fat, fatted'), of Germanic origin. In this compound, it functions as an adjective implying wealth, abundance, or excess.
- cat: From Old English catt, from Late Latin cattus. In this compound, it functions as a noun, metaphorically representing a person, often with connotations of comfort, domesticity, or predatory behavior.
Examples
The article criticized the fat-cat executives who received huge bonuses while laying off workers.
The reform aimed to limit the influence of political fat-cats on the election process.
He was portrayed as a corporate fat-cat completely out of touch with ordinary people's struggles.