Epigraph

"A woman who feared being a cat lady had obviously never owned a cat."

— JACQUELINE FROST

"Cat lady" has been aimed for decades at any woman who believes there"s more to life than snagging a wedding band. Do you want a career? An education? A little fun in your youth? Your "punishment":

To live alone with cats.

Taylor Swift"s answer to the "cat lady" insult? Don"t threaten me with a good time.

— AMANDA MARCOTTE

""you're going to become a cat lady living all alone in a book-filled apartment" is such a weird insult, like when a witch tries to curse you and accidentally gives you the life of your dreams. oh nooo not the cats and the books, however will I manage"

— BOZE HERRINGTON