Also called Cat in a Tie · Boss Cat · Office Cat
A black cat wears a collar and striped tie against a color wheel. Start with a serious office announcement, then let an unmistakably feline habit interrupt the business.
The cat is trying to sound like a manager while still wanting naps, boxes, food, and control of the keyboard. The contrast gives ordinary office language an unexpected second meaning.
A caption that could come from any human boss misses the useful part of the picture. The punchline should reveal why this particular manager has whiskers.
On January 1, 2011, Something Awful user Apple Jax posted a photograph of a cat named Emilio in a cat-picture thread. Replies immediately noticed the tie; Apple Jax linked the Etsy shop Whisker Kisses when asked where it came from. [1]
Know Your Meme records a Reddit repost titled Business Cat three days later, followed by captioned versions on Reddit and MemeGenerator. The cutout portrait and color-wheel background turned the dressed-up cat into a boss with cat-sized priorities. [2]
Apple Jax introduces the cat, and commenters ask about his tie. [1]
Reposts and image-macro versions begin the office-caption format. [2]
Know Your Meme documents the format spreading beyond the initial forum posts. [2]
Put the businesslike opening above the eyes. Add the feline twist along the bottom, leaving the face, collar, and most of the tie visible.
Office terms can take a literal cat meaning: a mouse, a box, a warm laptop, or a spot in the sun. Use one of those details to change the meaning of the announcement.
Original captions to try with this template.
The office request turns out to be about the cat’s cardboard workspace.
A managerial scheduling decision hides a nap on the paperwork.
The word mouse crosses from computer equipment into the cat’s priorities.
References for this template. Example captions are original.
The January 1, 2011 post names Emilio; the next replies discuss his tie and link its maker.
Traces the Reddit repost, captioned versions, and early 2011 circulation.
