Life — April 17, 1924 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Ain't That the Cat's Whiskers?" This cartoon plays on the 1920s slang phrase "cat's whiskers," meaning something excellent or fashionable. The image shows two mice confronting a cat through what appears to be a doorway or opening. The mice seem oblivious to or unconcerned about the danger the cat represents—they're commenting on the cat's appearance as if admiring it as a desirable fashion or trend. The humor lies in the ironic contrast: the mice are praising the cat (the "cat's whiskers") while simultaneously facing their natural predator. It's a visual pun combining the slang expression with literal cat's whiskers, satirizing either fashion obsession or naive behavior in the face of obvious danger. The cartoon likely mocks contemporary trends or blind admiration for things that are actually harmful.