What does 'Catnip for Cats' mean?
It refers to something that is greatly loved or very effective when given.
How did this proverb originate?
Cats are extremely fond of the plant known as catnip. While the reasons are detailed on the 'Cat' page of the Animalbook.jp and are omitted here, the proverb arises from the transformation of cats, who usually do not change their expression, becoming utterly enchanted in the presence of catnip.
Interestingly, following 'Catnip for Cats', phrases like 'Gold Coins for Courtesans' or 'Milk (Candy) for a Crying Child' are also used. Both carry the same essence as 'Catnip for Cats', meaning courtesans (geishas of the time) love gold coins, and crying babies love their mother's milk.
