Scaredycat

Scaredycat, often written as scaredy-cat, is a common English noun and, less commonly, an adjective used to describe a person who is easily frightened or excessively cautious. The term is informal and can be used playfully or affectionately among friends, or as a light tease in teasing or admonishing contexts. As an adjective, one might speak of “scaredy-cat behavior” or a “scaredy-cat approach” to risk.

Origin and etymology: The phrase originates in American English in the early 20th century. It combines the informal form “scaredy,” derived from “scared,” with “cat,” a metaphorical reference to cats’ reputed tentativeness and jumpiness. Over time, scaredy-cat became a fixed idiom understood across generations.

Usage: Scaredy-cats are commonly depicted in children’s literature and cartoons as characters who avoid danger or new experiences, illustrating social dynamics of teasing or coaxing someone to be braver. The term is generally not intended to describe clinical anxiety or phobias; in such contexts, more precise terms are preferred. While sometimes used pejoratively, it is often used in good humor among friends.

See also: coward, chicken, timidity, fear.