Cats were revered in ancient Egypt—harming one could even be punishable by death!—and today, funny cat videos dominate the internet. I’d wager that more people have heard of Grumpy Cat than have heard of Frida Kahlo. Is it any wonder that everybody wants to be a cat? What? You hadn’t heard? It’s true. Absolutely everybody (and his mother) wants to be cat. Keep reading to boost your English vocabulary and practice your listening skills with this week’s Vocab Jam, a terrific song from Disney’s Aristocats. Give me just 3 minutes, and you will be on the road to learning 15 English vocabulary words…and you’ll get some English listening practice to boot! You’ll learn vocabulary like gig, obsolete, and feline. So, grab a pen and start listening!
REVERE
WAGER
EVERYBODY AND HIS MOTHER
TO BOOT
Today’s Vocab Jam: “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat”
Do you like cats? Do you like jazz? Great! You’ll love this swinging Disney song!
Related: Learn 29 new vocabulary words with Disney’s “The Bells of Notre Dame” 🔔
Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat’s the only cat
Who knows where it’s at.
Everybody’s pickin’ up on that feline beat
‘Cause everything else is obsolete.
WHERE IT'S AT
PICK UP ON SOMETHING
FELINE
OBSOLETE
Related: No one jams like the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin! Grow your vocabulary with her here! 📻🎵
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren’t born
Every time he plays.
But with a square in the act,
You can set music back
To the caveman days.
I’ve heard some corny birds who tried to sing.
Still a cat’s the only cat
Who knows how to swing.
Who wants to dig a long-haired gig
And stuff like that
When everybody wants to be a cat?
SQUARE
ACT
SET SOMETHING BACK
CAVEMAN
CORNY
GIG
Related: Vary your English with these 12 fun animal similes! 🦇🦊🐥
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren’t born
Every time he plays.
Oh, a-rinky, tinky, tinky.
With a square in the act,
You can set music back
To the caveman days.
Oh, a-rinky, tinky, tinky!
Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat’s the only cat
Who knows where it’s at.
When playing jazz you always has a welcome mat,
‘Cause everybody digs a swingin’ cat!
WELCOME MAT
Related: Get more listening practice with these 10 advanced English dictations inspired by Halloween! 🎃💀🕸
DIG SOMETHING
SWINGING
Everybody! Everybody! Everybody wants to be a cat!
Hallelujah! Everybody! Everybody! Everybody wants to be a cat!
I’m tellin’ you, everybody! Everybody! Everybody wants to be a cat!
Yeah, everybody! Everybody! Everybody wants to be a cat!
Mmmm… Everybody! Everybody! Everybody wants to be a cat!
HALLELUJAH!
Related: Do you struggle with how to remember vocabulary words? Visit this post for my top tips! 🤓📚
Quick Vocabulary Practice
Choose one of the vocabulary words that was new to you and write a sentence using that word in the comments! 👊🤓 I will respond with any corrections!
