Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

Posted by ESC on September 23, 2003

In Reply to: Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed posted by Smokey Stover on September 23, 2003

: : In the U.S. of A. this locution brings to mind, besides humans who are unusually alert and cheerful, squirrels.

I totally agree with you that this phrase relates to squirrels. But one reference says the animal in question is a cat.

"Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Bright-eyed is obvious and the bushy-tailed here is a reference to the tail of a cat, which fluffs up when the animal becomes excited. The expression means cheerful and lively, and it dates back to the nineteenth century." (From the Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson, Facts on File, New York, 1997.)

• Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Smokey Stover 24/September/03
  • Bright-eyed . . . R. Berg 24/September/03
    • Bright-eyed . . . TheFallen 24/September/03
      • Bright-eyed . . . ESC 24/September/03
        • Bright-eyed . . . Lap of the Goddess 04/October/03