Get a
Cat (Phrase): A slang term meaning “to get married,” based on the humorous observation that many married couples often adopt cats as their first pet. The phrase suggests a cozy, domestic lifestyle associated with
marriage.
Origin: The term “get a
cat” is widely believed to have originated on
TikTok in early 2023, when a creator named @CozyCoupleChronicles posted a viral video captioned “First comes love, then comes
marriage… then comes a
cat named Pickles.” The video, which featured a montage of newlywed couples adopting cats, quickly racked up millions of views and sparked a trend.
Soon, other creators joined in, using the phrase in captions like, “When you know it’s serious: they’re ready to get a
cat 🐈” and parodying dating milestones with references to feline adoption. The hashtag #GetACat trended across platforms, with users sharing relationship updates and jokingly speculating when their significant others would be ready to “get a
cat.”
By late 2024, the phrase had entered broader slang usage as a cheeky way to describe tying the knot, solidifying its status in modern lexicon.