kleptocat

kleptocat

English

Etymology

First attested in 1977. From klepto- +‎ cat.

Noun

kleptocat (plural kleptocats)

1. (informal) A cat that is prone to stealing; a kleptomaniac cat.
   • 1977 June 25, Michael Fox, response in "Ask Your Vet: Dr. Michael Fox", The La Crosse Tribune, page 25.

     There’s no solution to the problem of a “kleptocat" except to keep precious items (rings, eyeglasses, etc.) in safe drawers and closets. Our kleptocat, Mocha, a female Burmese, just sticks to socks.

   • 1999, Joe Inglis, It Really Does Happen to a Vet! The Journal of Joe Inglis in Practice.

     On closer inspection it definitely is a fox-shaped hand puppet! I wonder where the little kleptocat got that from!

   • 2011, Victoria Twead, Two Old Fools - Olé!, self-published, page 207.

     I knew Smut was an excellent climber, but I didn't know she was a criminal. So Smut was a kleptocat?