The Cheshire Cat is one of the most famous and mysterious characters in the world of Alice in Wonderland. It’s a cat with a rather unsettling smile that infiltrated all various sorts of media – the Cheshire Cat or a reference to it can be found everywhere from video games to anime. It’s a universally recognized character for its mischievous smile and constant teasing.
The term Cheshire Cat used to be a common phrase back then.
For example: “He grins like a Cheshire cat – said of anyone who shows his teeth and gums in laughing.” A literary appearance from the 18th century in A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, Second, Corrected and Enlarged edition by Francis Grose.
Quotes
The Cheshire Cat is also famous for its unforgettable quotes that present the overall madness of Wonderland.
“We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“I am not crazy; my reality is just different from yours.”
“Haste makes waste, so I rarely hurry. But if a ferret were about to dart up my dress, I’d run.”
Presence In Media
In a lot of representations, the Cheshire Cat is purple, and in some adaptations, it even has a humanoid form. But one thing that always stays the same is its iconic smile which definitely does not suit a cat. The Cheshire Cat is a simple character but it’s so memorable and recognizable everywhere.
Some of the media it’s present in: