Top 20 Cats in Pop Culture: 10 - 1

 Hold on to your hats kids, because Podcats, the Podcast presents it's definitive Top 20 cats in Pop Culture!

Places 10 - 1:

In 10th Place - Cat in the Hat:

You've got to love a cat with a dose of cheeky - and this feline certainly does. Only talking in rhyme and teaching naughty kids universally to behave - he is a parent's best friend... when he isn't blowing houses apart that is. On second thoughts, cheeky might not be the word. However - points for the hat game.

In 9th Place - Tom, from Tom and Jerry:

Can't help but feel sorry for this poor bastard. Jerry has been giving him the run for as long as we can remember, and poor Tom is the one to get punished. A kids classic though, Tom has longevity and every person is haunted by the"THOMAS" cat-call from his faceless owner. We love you Tom!

In 8th Place - Jinxy:

Another villains sidekick, Jinxy is the right hand man to DeNiro's OTT dad character in Meet The Parents. A CIA agents best weapon, we soon learn, is his cat. And Jinxy is as smart as they come - able to flush the toilet, a trick which comes in handy when Moses the dog is drowned in the bog: Cats 1, Dogs 0)  

In 7th Place - Grumpy Cat:

Real name Tardar Sauce is both a domestic house cat and internet sensation known for her grumpy facial expression. Emanating all kinds of sass, she has been featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal and New York Magazine. Nothing can touch this cat.

In 6th place - Crookshanks from Harry Potter:

Badass cat of the century. Not only does he own the fact he looks like he's been smashed with a saucepan, he knows the truth about Peter Pettigrew and he's goin' make damn sure that Harry and the Gang find out about it. 10 points to Griffindor!

In 5th Place - Puss in Boots (Shrek Style)

Who wouldn't want a sword-wielding, boot wearing, spanish/italian swearing puddy-cat voiced by Antonio Banderas? Shrek and the Gang got a whole lot more interesting when he joined the ranks, raising the banters and pulling on those big eyes. Cute points off the scale and the danger rating is high.

 The ultimate cat weapon. 

In 4th Place - O'Malley, the Alley Cat (Aristocats)

The ultimate cat lad mixed with general heroism, O'Malley is the all around good guy who has been masquerading as a badman until Duchess and her litter fall in his path. Poor guy ends up smitten and saves the day by protecting the little family and getting them back to Madame - only for him to be adopted too. Prayers that some little O'Malley's joined the clan later too...

In 3rd Place - Cheshire Cat:

As bizarre as they came, this cat has haunted dreams and motifs for centuries. Making the Alice and Wonderland series you can't help but be besotted with the grin that is referenced in daily culture all over the globe. Is he good? Is he evil? The magic is you'll never know...

In 2nd Place - Garfield:

The cat that need no introduction, this fat cat will be immortalised in every lasagne you eat and every ginger cat you see. A god amongst cats - everyone has wished for a Garfield. Long live the King - be that in memory, movie or comic strip form!

And finally - at number 1 is Salem, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch:

An understated cat - but one whose attempt for world domination will never be forgotten due to the sass and attitude that came with it. Never has one cat worn as many outfits, made as many snide comments or been more loved than that Salem. Sabrina - hold on to your feline, the rest of the world may just come nab him from you when they get the chance. 

20 of the best CAT-ch Phrases:

Here at Podcats, the Podcast we love a good pun and especially a good CATch phrase... these are some of our favourites: 

1. "Couldn't cuss a cat without getting fur in your mouth" - referring to tight, cramped space.

2. "Cat got your tongue" - why aren't you talking?

3. "Catty remarks" - comments made by a woman, usually about another woman.

4. "When the cat's away, the mice will play" - without supervision, people misbehave.

5. "Cat's pajamas" - something considered to be outstanding

6. "There's not enough room to swing a cat" - the room is very cramped and crowded.

7. "The cat's out of the bag" - to pass along a secret.

8. "Pussyfooting around" - to tread or move warily or stealthily or to refrain from committing oneself."

9. "Put the cat among the pigeons" - a British term which means to cause an enormous fight or flap, usually by revealing a controversial fact or secret.

10. The cat may look at a king" - an insolent remark of insubordination, meaning, "I am as good as you".

11. "Look what the cat dragged in" - a slightly derogatory comment on someone's arrival.

12. "Let sleeping cats lie" - leave things as they are.

13. "It's raining cats and dogs" - It's raining very hard.

14. "Fat cat" - A wealthy and privileged person.

15. "Grinning like a Cheshire cat" - Displaying a silly grin.

16. "Cat's paw" - to be labelled a "cat's paw" means someone has taken advantage of you and you weren't smart enough to CATch on.  

17. "Cool cat" - someone who keeps up with the latest trends.

18.  "Curiosity killed the cat" - be cautious when investigating situations.

19. "Busier than a one-eyed cat watching two mouse holes" - very busy, almost to the point of being frantic.

20. "Tomcat" - A male who enjoys the favors of many women. 

The CATtitude problem:

We all know a cat with a bit of a 'tude.

Maybe you just don't understand your cat, maybe you just don't love your cat the way you should. Here at Podcats, The Podcast we've come up with some mythbusters about the household pet you should call man's best friend.

1. Cats are inconsiderate, independent and hate you:

Correction: YOU ARE INCONSIDERATE, INDEPENDENT AND CATS HATE YOU. Or, cats are actually affectionate and responsive. Your cat's behaviour is a result of how you treat them. If you ignore your cat, they will ignore you. But if you talk, pet and play with them often, they will get attached.

• To get your attention your cat will often sit close to you, brush up against your legs or meow, some even bat their eyelids - so go ahead and fuss over them! 
• Try and give your cat full attention for least 15-20 minutes every day. You'll get a happy cat and a best buddy bond going.

2. Cats don't need you.

Correction: Woah - don't go blaming cats for this misunderstanding. Poor little guys have been neglected enough. Just because they can take care of themselves WHEN NECESSARY and because they aren't as needy as canines (sorry - you got me, dog hater in the house!) doesn't mean they don't appreciate companionship. Hello? Did you see the Aristocats?!

3. Cats don't reciprocate loving relationships.

Correction: Why do you think that 75y/o single lady down your street has so many cats? People talk to their cats, sleep with their cats, and celebrate with their cats on holidays. Cats greet their owners at the door, follow them about, and come when they are called. They also affectionately rub against and "paddle" which stems from a cats instinct to feed from their mother, stimulating the milk flow by padding (okay, I know I made it weird, but deep down its a loving thing to do. Okay, deep, deep down.) Bottom line: cats love them some human time. 

Caption: "YOU'RE NOT LEAVING ME RIGHT?"

4. Cats urinate on your stuff because they are bitches.

Correction: Cats are crafty - you think they would do something as obvious as pee on your bed? What they were probably going through is separation anxiety. They get attracted to a place where your scent was the strongest and have a bit of a meltdown - we've all done it when we've had a few too many. So quit judging.

5. Cats are murderous - they want to hurt my baby/puppy/kitten/boyfriend.

Correction: Your baby/puppy/kitten/boyfriend is lame. Ditch them and keep your cat. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. Alternatively, the poor thing is probably jealous, and understandably so. If your cat is used to getting a lot of love from mama, by taking that away they are going to take it out on what appears to be the problem. It's the same with babies guys - the best cure for jealousy is consistency, so set aside some cat time and your problem should be solved. If not, revert to plan A.