Episode 299: Catnap

This week Shauna and Dan take a catnap. Bonus: Sleep Momentum, Star Trek IV: Spock and Whales, and THE MODS ARE ASLEEP - EVERYONE POST OWLS! Bonus Bonus: Antnaps

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Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast 
Episode 299: Catnap
Record Date: October 21, 2025 
Air Date: October 29, 2025

Intro

Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase. 

I’m Dan Pugh

Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison

Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today. 

Opening Hook
I’ve never been one for long naps... they just make me sleepy. But those tiny, unplanned dozes that sneak up on you in the middle of the afternoon? That’s my kind of refresh... a little cat nap.

Meaning
According to Oxford English Dictionary, a catnap is:

Quote
A short period of light sleep; a brief nap, esp. one usually taken during the daytime.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/catnap_n?tab=meaning_and_use#1410503250 

The OED also tells us to cross reference cat-sleep which is a less common term for the same thing.

1801
An early reference for cat nap appeared in the Lancaster Journal out of Pennsylvania, US, dated 29 August 1801. Here is an excerpt, 

Quote
The poor man seemed to be in a terrible taking. He did not work, and would hardly eat; and as for sleep, he had only cat-naps, as it were.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/catnap_n?tab=meaning_and_use#1410503250 

At this point, the phrase was using cat nap as more of a simile than an idiomatic phrase. So it was really comparing his sleep to that of an actual cat. But the phrase continued to change and be used more frequently. 

1823
Another example of this comparison style of usage appears in James Fenimore Cooper’s 1823 work, The pioneers: or, The sources of the Susquehanna; a descriptive tale. Here is a snippet, 

Quote
I just closed my eyes in order to think the better with myself... It was only some such matter as a cat's nap.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/catnap_n?tab=meaning_and_use#1410503250 

Again, it isn’t calling his short rest a cat nap but instead comparing it to the nap a cat takes. It’s one of those small differences that determines whether our phrase is a figurative, idiomatic term or merely a thing used to explain another thing. 

1856
Elisha Kent Kane used the term figuratively in the 1856 work, Arctic Explorations: The Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin. Here is that excerpt, 

Quote
Catching cat-naps as I could in the day..but carefully waking every hour.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/catnap_n?tab=meaning_and_use#1410503250 

In this example, the term has transitioned… a cat-nap is its own thing that a human being can do. While earlier references may have used the term figuratively, it was really around this timeframe - the mid 1800s - that the phrase became more solidly figurative.

1904
The phrase appeared in The Minneapolis Journal, in the Journal Junior section (Minneapolis, Minn., US) on May 14, 1904, in a story titled Just a Little Cat Nap.

Quote
"Florence, get up, quick," called mama one morn-ing. "You must get up; breakfast is all ready." Oh, it was so comfortable in bed. I could hear the rain pattering on the windows and I felt so drowsy that after I had answered, "Yes," I turned over for another cat nap.
How long my cat nap was, I do not know, but suddenly I was aware that someone was in the room. And then-oh, woe to me! A cold shiver swept over me. I opened my eyes very quickly and saw mama standing over me, laughing, with a dripping sponge in her hand, while little streams of cold water ran a race down my chin. Then I jumped up.
End quote
https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83045366/1904-05-14/ed-1/?sp=30&q=cat+nap&r=0.001,0.48,0.621,0.346,0 

It’s used to describe that short, light sleep.

1916
The phrase appeared in the Belington Progressive (Belington, W. Va.) on October 26, 1916, in the segment Daddy’s Evening Fairy Tale by Graham Bonner, in the episode titled Cat-Nap. 

Quote
*But you couldn't have nice Milk if the Cows didn't eat good green things that are grown by Mr. Sun. It seems to me, Mr. Biddle Birdsall, that you are very cross.'

"*So I am! I am angry with everything - even you make me angry-because-because-well, you're not angry at anything. You like everything!  And when I don't like anything I want everyone else to agree with me too. But I know what's the trouble. I haven't had my Cat-Nap this Morning I have been awake too long'

*What is a Cat-Nap? asked Peter Gnome.

"When I go to Sleep with one Eye half open, that's a Cat-Nap. When I'm having a delicious Snooze and sweet Dreams -and yet when I can wake up very quickly- if for instance the Cook should put some nice Milk near me-or if I should happen to smell the Bacon cooking for Breakfast. A Cat needs so many naps, you know. Napping makes our fur so Fine and makes us such nice, quiet, Sleepy Animals. We like to be lazy and to be petted-and to Purr and Sleep!'
End quote
https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn86092333/1916-10-26/ed-1/?sp=3&q=cat+nap&r=0.423,0.037,0.404,0.225,0 

Here, “cat nap” is explained literally through the character’s perspective, emphasizing short, light naps that allow for quick waking—illustrating the phrase’s original, descriptive meaning before it became widely figurative.

1932
The phrase appeared in The Coolidge Examiner (Coolidge, Ariz.) on April 22, 1932, in an article titled “Cat Nap” Hour in Modern Preventorium.

Quote
This cat nap hour is one of the most important in the daily routine of the children at the modern new preventorium at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla. The institution is operated by Westchester County's Department of Public Welfare as a part of the campaign to eliminate incipient cases of tuberculosis in the children. Sleep, work and play is mapped out for them.
End quote
https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn94050542/1932-04-22/ed-1/?sp=6&q=cat+nap&r=-0.423,0.357,1.473,0.82,0 

Here, “cat nap” was used in a literal and descriptive sense… referring to a scheduled rest period for children’s health. It carried the same meaning it does today: a brief, refreshing sleep rather than a full rest. However… the image depicts children sunbathing… I’m not sure of the overall health benefits. We’ve learned more medicine since then. 


1955
The phrase appeared in The Tribune (Roanoke, Va.) on July 9, 1955, in a story titled Cat Naps Are Purrfect Antidote for Fatigue by Edna Miles.

Quote
The virtues of the cat nap are well known to most of us.
But it's actually getting around to it that's difficult. So many things to do, so many things to interfere. The housewife can't regulate her day nor call her time her own, despite the charts - regularly issued by efficiency experts. The home is not an office, contrary to all arguments, and can't be run with the clockwork speed of an office.
End quote
https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn98068351/1955-07-09/ed-1/?sp=3&q=cat+nap&r=0.216,0.052,0.609,0.339,0 

Here, “cat nap” is presented as a practical, everyday solution to fatigue, highlighting its usefulness for busy adults trying to carve out brief moments of rest.

1962
Evening star (Washington, D.C.), May 27, 1962 in the article titled Shh! The Boss Is Asleep! 

Quote
Tiptoe into a tycoon’s office nowadays and you’re liable to find him asleep. Is this new habit slowing down the economy? Far from it. Here are the facts on big business’s big cat nap.
End quote. 
https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83045462/1962-05-27/ed-1/?sp=149&q=cat+nap&r=-0.03,0.379,1.09,0.607,0 

We’re going to look a little more into this one in our behind the scenes which airs every Friday on Patreon. That’s patreon.com/bunnytrailspod.

We have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors. 

A Quick Thank You
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Modern Uses

1997
CatNap From The Heart claims they have been saving kittens & cats since 1997. They are based in Illinois but connect people all over to adoptable cats. They use Petfinder to help place cats in new homes. Here is their mission from their website,

Quote
At CatNap From The Heart, we are dedicated to providing a safe haven for kittens and cats in need. Our shelter and low-cost clinic offer services such as adoptions, spaying and neutering, and compassionate care. Through our events, success stories, and support, we aim to create a loving community for our feline friends.
End quote
https://www.catnapfromtheheart.org/  

They have quite a few things they support related to cat needs which I think is great. There’s a lot more to it than just cute kittens. They take care of adult cats and help people take care of their cats. It’s very wholesome and I love it. 

2020
What’s Considered a Catnap and Is It Beneficial? is a 2020 Healthline article written by Rebecca Joy Stanborough, MFA, and medically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD. Here is a little from the article, 

Quote
Catnaps, or naps that last 20 to 30 minutes, are fairly well studied, and researchers have discovered a number of benefits to a short daytime snooze. Here are a few of them. 
End quote
https://www.healthline.com/health/cat-nap 

The article goes on to list benefits such as, Consolidates memories and learning, Increases alertness and attentiveness, Boosts your athletic performance, and Improves your mood, along with details related to each. There are potential drawbacks shared as well, though these are mostly related to longer naps. 

2021
It’s time to get a little creepy… with the video game Poppy Playtime. Poppy Playtime is an episodic puzzle survival horror video game series that was first developed and published in October 2021 by American indie developer Mob Entertainment. The game is set in an abandoned factory owned by the fictional toy company Playtime Co. One character who appears in the series is named Cat Nap. Here is a description from the Poppy Playtime Wiki, 

Quote
CatNap's toy form is an anthropomorphic purple-furred cat with black eyes, triangular ears, a black nose and a very long tail. His paws are a darker shade of purple, similar to the insides of his ears. Just like the other Smiling Critters, CatNap is depicted with a wide, toothless smile with a small gray air tube sewn inside. His torso possesses a zipper line running down that entire segment of his body, with the zipper sporting a yellow crescent moon pendant. 
End quote
https://poppy-playtime.fandom.com/wiki/CatNap 

There is a lot of lore related to Cat Nap due to the nature of this style of game and the following the series has. A few notes to get the idea of the character… at one point in the story, the Cat Nap toy had an error in production and instead of creating a lovely lavender scent that might help children sleep, the toy instead produced a sinister red smoke… which led to all sorts of bad dreams, hallucinations, and even some unpleasant behavioral changes in the children who owned that line of the toy. 

2024
A 2024 youtube video by Wicked Makers is titled We made a real CATNAP Animatronic! in which Jaimie and Jay make a real life Catnap from Poppy Playtime! Here is a little bit from the description of the episode,

Quote
WHO IS CATNAP?!
Catnap is the main boss of Poppy Playtime Chapter 3: Deep Sleep. He’s a giant monstrous purple cat-like creature who roams the halls of Playcare - and he’s AWESOME. He has glowing eyes and has the ability to breathe out a hallucinogenic red gas. As soon as we saw him, we knew we had to turn him into a huge custom animatronic. 
End quote
https://youtu.be/Fh6mimCibhQ?si=-f52RPqDMYLI8EX- 

The video shows a lot of their process for making Cat Nap. It’s pretty fascinating. Their real-life recreation is creepy and cool. 

2025
Cat Nap is a 2025 juvenile novel written and illustrated by Brian Lies. Here is a little bit about the work from the publisher,

Quote 
With lush paintings and intricately constructed 3-D artwork, bestselling and Caldecott Honor–winning author-illustrator Brian Lies introduces a sleepy kitten whose afternoon nap transforms into an epic journey through art, time, and history. Perfect for fans of They All Saw a Cat, Museum Trip, and Jumanji.
End Quote
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/cat-nap-brian-lies?variant=43406925889570 

The cover shows a cat with one eye closed, possibly pretending to sleep with a paw reaching out towards a mouse that is running away. 

Current 
Cat Nap is a sculpture available from Carruth Studio. Here is a description from the website, 

Quote 
There is nothing so peaceful as the gentle feel of a sleeping cat. When the warm sun comes steaming in through the window, it must be nap time. This cat sculpture includes a coiled up little mouse quietly napping with best friend. Few cats can pass up a sunny windowsill or patch of sunlight on the carpet. Maybe we should be more like this clever little cat and mouse sculpture, and take a blissful nap when the angle of the sunlight is just right. This would make a cheery gift for any cat lover to display in a sunroom or the gardens.
End quote
https://carruthstudio.com/products/cat-nap?srsltid=AfmBOopvJT5NJ5DqJYXMT92ihiNJmu9BQCU0s8IFhVzVr46psFg8lV0n 

I could see this in the cozy corner of someone’s space. 

Current
I found a Kickstarter campaign for a board game made by Aerobellum Games called Cat Nap. It’s described as a clever tile-laying game where 1-2 players create playful cats across a cozy living room floor. The tagline and part of the game intro read,

Quote
Cat Nap: A tile laying game about out-snuggling your rival!
The Purrrfect Game for Two Players and Cat Lovers
Cat Nap is a delightful, cat-themed tile-laying game with a surprising amount of strategic gameplay.
End quote
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aerobellumgames/catnap 

I like tile-laying games and this one does look extra cute. The simplicity of tile-laying games is great because it can bring together a lot of different experience levels. 

Wrap up: 
I’ve always liked the phrase “cat nap” because it captures something so relatable and slightly indulgent… those little moments of rest that sneak in during a busy day. Even a short pause can refresh the mind and body, without needing hours of sleep. There’s something charming about the imagery too, soft and quiet, yet energizing in its own small way. For me, it’s a phrase that makes me smile, and it perfectly describes those tiny, restorative pauses we all need… a little cat nap.

Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com

Dan:

It’s poll time!

Recently we asked our Patrons about their window situation.

About one quarter said, windows open while another quarter said windows closed. The rest said it was dependent on the situation. 

Jan said: 
Quote
Open in the house when the AC or heater is off. I need to clean out my truck so the straw wrappers don’t blow out, otherwise I’d drive with the windows open more often. 
End Quote

Cheryl added: 
Quote
I would love to have the windows open all the time but due to allergies they're closed a lot.
End Quote

Shauna: 

JGP shared
Quote 
If at all possible I would rather have the windows open but of course, with nature what it is, a huge chunk of the time it's too cold, too humid, too rainy or too something else that just makes having the windows open unpleasant.
End quote

I love the weather… I’m also perpetually cold. And air quality is a thing. But during part of the year, I just stay outside. So really, I love that we have windows. My vehicle windows, I open almost every time I drive… I love the fresh air, even when it’s sprinkling. 

Dan: 
I always keep the bedroom windows closed because I'm allergic to Kansas, especially wheat pollen. But the rest of my house I'm happy to have open windows for air flow. In the car, I'll have the windows down if I'm in my little town, but if I'm on the highway I'll probably have them up as it can be too windy. Which I guess is another point. Sometimes the wind can be too much, so I'll just have to close the windows on everything to avoid the dust and other blowing debris.

As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!

Outro

Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember, 

Together:
Words belong to their users.