Pussy Cat Pussy Cat

A cat goes all the way to London to visit the Queen and, given the run of the palace, does the only thing a cat would do: chases a mouse under her chair. "Pussy Cat Pussy Cat" is a four-line question and answer, and the joke is the cat's total indifference to royalty.

Origins

The earliest documented version of the rhyme was printed in London in 1805 in the collection Songs for the Nursery. While the print record begins in the early nineteenth century, folklore scholars believe the song has roots that extend back to Tudor England in the sixteenth century. A popular melody was composed and documented in 1870 by James William Elliott in his book National Nursery Rhymes and Nursery Songs.

Meaning & Interpretation

Various theories exist regarding the identity of the Queen mentioned in the song. The most popular theory links the rhyme to Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled from 1558 to 1603. According to castle lore, a cat belonging to one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting ran under the throne and brushed against Elizabeth's foot, startling her. Instead of punishing the animal, the Queen reportedly allowed the cat to stay in the palace, provided it kept the court free of mice. Another theory suggests the Queen was Caroline of Brunswick, the wife of King George IV. Regardless of the royal identity, the humor of the rhyme comes from the cat's complete indifference to the splendor of London, choosing instead to focus on its natural habit of catching mice.

What is the meaning of Pussy Cat Pussy Cat?

The rhyme is a playful exchange about a cat who visits London to see the Queen. Instead of admiring the royal palace, the cat acts on its instincts and chases a mouse under the Queen's chair, highlighting the natural behavior of animals.

Who is the Queen in Pussy Cat Pussy Cat?

While the identity of the Queen is not historically proven, popular folklore associates the rhyme with Queen Elizabeth I during the sixteenth century, or Caroline of Brunswick in the early nineteenth century.