the cat's pyjamas

Definition

A highly sought-after and fancy example of something, usually referring to inanimate objects.

Etymology

Popular in the US as early as 1922 around which the bee's knees, cat's whiskers, and numerous other similar phrases gained prominence. Sometimes attributed to cartoonist Tad Dorgan. It is widely believed that the origin of this idiom predates considerably, tracing back to the early 1800s in England. During this period, a tailor named E.B. Katz crafted silk pajamas for members of royalty and the upper class.

Example Sentences

• "That new car was really the cat's pyjamas."