Click to Skip Ahead
Funny cat memes have taken over the internet and gone viral for quite a few years. One such meme is Smudge the Cat, also known as Cat at Dinner Table. But what do we really know about Smudge the Cat? He’s a mixed-breed cat from Ottawa that became a star, but many of his fans may be unaware of how he became popular. Read on below while we fill you in on the meme known as Smudge the Cat.
What Breed Is Smudge?
Smudge is a rescue; like many rescues, his breed is unknown. He’s most likely a mixed breed. We know he’s an adorable white cat from Kanata in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He’s 8 years old and has a great distaste for vegetables.
Why Is Smudge Famous?
Smudge’s fame began on June 19, 2018, when Tumblr user “deadbeforedeath” posted a photo of him. The photo showed Smudge sitting at a dinner table, looking incredibly confused and insulted by the salad in front of him. The photo had the caption, “He no like vegetals.” The photo gained traction on Tumblr and began to spread to other parts of the internet, but it was still pretty niche. But in 2019, an edit was made that catapulted it into the stratosphere.
A screenshot from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” shows Taylor Armstrong crying, screaming, and pointing while being comforted by a co-star. This and the Smudge image had been used as moderately popular reaction images for some time, but in 2019 they were combined. When the two images were combined, it looked like this crying and distraught woman was having a one-sided fight with a confused cat; the image blew up.
Like most meme templates, this could be used for just about anything, but the typical formula is that the woman is labeled as unreasonable and angry. In contrast, Smudge is labeled as a confused observer. Smudge’s owner used this fame to launch a merch store that sells hats, t-shirts, and hoodies with Smudge’s confused face on them.
Another Famous Smudge the Cat
Oddly enough, the cat at the dinner table isn’t the only famous cat named Smudge, although the other was more of a local celebrity. Smudge was employed at the People’s Palace Museum in Glasgow to hunt mice. The cat quickly became beloved by the Museum customers and became the mascot; the gift shop even began to sell life-size ceramic sculptures of Smudge.
In the 1980s, Smudge moved up in the world when the General, Municipal, and Boilermakers Trade Union made her a full blue-collar member of Branch 29. The GMC and other movements in Glasgow used her as a mascot for social movements and fundraising, only increasing her local popularity.
Smudge sadly passed away in 2000 at the ripe old age of 30. After her passing, a plaque was placed at the side entrance that reads, “Sister Smudge (c 1970-2000) was a much-loved employee of the People’s Palace and the only cat to be a full member of the GMB union.”
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, Smudge the Cat is a meme that has become famous online. The white cat from Canada became a star when its meme was combined with one from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
That’s our take on Smudge the Cat, so if you run across this meme, you’ll know what the fuss is all about. There, of course, was another Smudge the Cat, but she’s not as famous in the United States and sadly passed away in 2000.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: LFRabanedo, Shutterstock
