What Does Herding Cats Mean?

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You’ve probably “herd” of herding sheep and cattle, but what about herding cats? This popular idiom doesn’t make a whole lot of sense at first, especially if you have a cat of your own at home. No worries, though—you’ve come to the right article. We’ve taken a deep dive into the definition and history of this idiom, so you can understand it and use it on your own.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “herding cats” mean?

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    Cats are very independent animals—they do what they want, when they want. They definitely can’t be herded into a unified group/flock. So, when someone is managing an uncooperative and independent group of people, they compare the experience to “herding cats.” [1]
    • Person 1: “Tough day?”
      Person 2: “You bet. Handling my students is about as easy as herding cats!”
    • The popular Discovery Channel series MythBusters actually tested the “herding cats” myth by trying (unsuccessfully) to herd 8 cats into a smaller pen. Needless to say, they proved that the “herding cats” idiom is very accurate! [2]
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Use “Herding Cats”

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    Maybe your co-workers are refusing to work together on a group project, or your students aren’t willing to stay seated. While you’re venting to a friend or loved one about the tough situation, you can use the idiom “herding cats” to show how difficult things are. [3]
    • “Dealing with other attorneys is like herding cats.”
    • “Managing a nursing home is about as easy as herding cats.”
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    People use the word “like” or “as” to compare a difficult group task to the prospect of “herding cats.” For example:
    • “Rounding up the toddlers at daycare is like herding cats.”
    • “Being a field trip chaperone is exhausting. It’s like herding cats!”
    • “Getting my family in one room is about as easy as herding cats.”
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Section 3 of 3:

Where does “herding cats” come from?

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    During the TV episode, a group of shepherds is chatting about their flocks. They eventually start talking about “herds of cats” instead, and what they would be like.
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    IT professional Platt famously said that “Managing senior programmers is like herding cats,” since programmers are so independent. That quote might have inspired other people to use the idiom more frequently. [4]
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    The commercial (titled “Cat Herding”) featured a group of cowboys on horseback herding a large group of cats. This well-televised commercial might have inspired more people to use the phrase “herding cats” in their day-to-day conversations. [5]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.lexico.com/definition/like_herding_cats
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNfLcXPc0ZY&t=1m35s
      3. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/like-herding-cats
      4. ↑ https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cat-herders-day/
      5. ↑ https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cat-herders-day/

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