Sittin' in the catbird's seat

Posted by Bob on August 24, 2000

In Reply to: Sittin' in the catbird's seat posted by Barry Jacobs on August 24, 2000

: I understand the "catbird's seat" to be a particularly advantageous position. Anyone know the derivation? For that matter, just what is a catbird?

The catbird (scientific name: dumetella carolinensis) is relatively common the the southern U.S., a dark gray bird with a black cap. It is related to the mockingbird, and is aggressively territorial, driven by instinct to secure a place at the top of the tallest tree in its territory. From there, it can scout out all invaders. The dictionaries list the earliest usage of "sittin' in the catbird seat" as 1942, but I can go one further and tell you that it was popularized by the late Red Barber, the great baseball announcer, raconteur, and Southern gentleman. He may or may not have originated it, but the phrase wll be forever associated with him.