The answer that I have provided is simple and straightforward. You’ll probably see different answers to the question because the exact origin is a bit of a mystery still. I trust this one as it comes from Dr Morris writing in his book ‘Catlore’, although I knew this answer already.
In the 1920s and 1930s schoolboy slang referred to dogs and cats as ‘tikes and mogs’. Between WW1 and WW2, the word ‘moggie’ was abbreviated to ‘mog’. This died out after the end of WW2 and the word ‘moggie’ was used and it still is; sometimes spelled ‘moggy’.
Non-pedigree dogs are referred to as ‘mongrels’. This should also apply non-pedigree cats as well.
Below is the answer from Google’s AI bot Gemini:
The Origin of “Moggy”
The exact origin of “moggy” is a bit of a mystery. However, there are a few popular theories:
- Derived from “Margaret”: One theory suggests that “moggy” is a shortened form of “Margaret,” just like “Maggie” or “Mog.” It’s believed that the term was initially used to describe cows, and later transferred to cats.
- Cockney Slang: Another possibility is that “moggy” originated as Cockney slang for a mongrel cat. However, this theory is less widely accepted.
- Lancashire Connection: In some parts of Lancashire, “moggy” actually refers to a mouse, and a cat is known as a “moggy catcher.” It’s possible that the term for the cat was shortened over time.
So, while the exact origin remains uncertain, it’s clear that “moggy” is a term with a rich history and interesting regional variations.
Would you like to know more about the history of cats or other interesting word origins?
