Cats 101: Himalayan

The Himalayan is a long-haired, blue-eyed beauty that captures the hearts of cat lovers
everywhere. In fact, the Himalayan is the most popular division of the Persian, which, in
turn, is the most popular breed of cat.

to capture = vangen

a division = een (onder)verdeling

-- to divide = verdelen

in turn = op zijn/haar beurt

The Himalayan, which is affectionately known as “the Himmie,” is just like the Persian,
except in terms of its coloring. It is the result of a scientific experiment (conducted in the
1930s) in which a Persian was crossed with a Siamese.

affectionately = hartelijk, vriendschappelijk

-- affection = genegenheid

except = behalve

-- Make sure not to confuse “except” with “to accept” (aanvaarden, aannemen)!

in terms of = wat betreft

scientific = wetenschappelijk

-- science = wetenschap

-- a scientist = een wetenschapper

to conduct = uitvoeren

-- A “conductor” is either the person who directs an orchestra or the person in charge of a
train. In Dutch, both are called “conducteurs.”

to cross with = kruisen met

-- to cross the street = de straat oversteken

Words like “except” and “accept,” which sound the same but are spelled differently and
mean different things, are called homonyms. Can you identify the difference between the
following sets of homonyms?

two: …………………………………. missed: ………………………………….

to: ……………………………………. mist: ………………………………….
too: …………………………………..
allowed: …………………………………. morning: ………………………………….
aloud: …………………………………. mourning: ………………………………….

be: …………………………………. right: ………………………………….

bee: …………………………………. write: ………………………………….
rite: ………………………………….
by: ………………………………….
bye: …………………………………. role: ………………………………….
buy: …………………………………. roll: ………………………………….

cell: …………………………………. none: ………………………………….

sell: …………………………………. nun: ………………………………….

cent: …………………………………. rose: ………………………………….

scent: …………………………………. rows: ………………………………….
sent: ………………………………….
sale: ………………………………….
chews: …………………………………. sail: ………………………………….
choose: ………………………………….

die: …………………………………. scene: ………………………………….

dye: …………………………………. seen: ………………………………….

dear: …………………………………. sea: ………………………………….

deer: …………………………………. see: ………………………………….

fare: …………………………………. seam: ………………………………….

fair: …………………………………. seem: ………………………………….

knew: …………………………………. sighs: ………………………………….

new: …………………………………. size: ………………………………….

no: …………………………………. son: ………………………………….

know: …………………………………. sun: ………………………………….

knows: …………………………………. some: ………………………………….

nose: …………………………………. sum: ………………………………….
no’s: ………………………………….
tail: ………………………………….
guessed: …………………………………. tale: ………………………………….
guest: ………………………………….
there: ………………………………….
higher: …………………………………. they’re: ………………………………….
hire: …………………………………. their: ………………………………….

knight: …………………………………. you’re: ………………………………….

night: …………………………………. your: ………………………………….

mail: …………………………………. who’s: ………………………………….

male: …………………………………. whose: ………………………………….
The four principal characteristics of the Himalayan are a smooshed face, thick legs, a
luxurious coat, and color points: marks on the edge of the Himalayan’s legs, tail, ears, and
face. The Himalayans’ color varies between chocolate, brown, lilac, blue, flame, and cream.

principal = (meest) belangrijk

-- “Principal” is another homonym. Do you know what a “principle” is? Also, do you know
the other meaning of “principal”?

to smoosh = indrukken

thick = dik, stevig

-- Only use “thick” to describe things; when you call a person “thick,” it means that they’re
not very smart.

the edge = de rand, het uiteinde

to vary between = variëren tussen

lilac = a type of small tree, shrub; also a light purple (“lila”)

a flame = een vlam; also: flame red
cream = crème; also a very pale yellow

Because the Himalayan’s coat is so long, thick and fluffy, its body almost disappears under
its coat. You can hardly tell apart the coat from the cat! Just like the Persian, this cat is
sweet-tempered, calm and craves your attention. They do require a lot of upkeep,
though!

to disappear = verdwijnen

-- a disappearance = een verdwijning

hardly = bijna (niet)

to tell apart = onderscheiden, uit elkaar houden

sweet-tempered = zachtaardig

-- temper = karakter

-- temperamental = onbeheerst, onstabiel

calm = kalm

to crave = hunkeren naar

to require = vereisen, nodig hebben

-- a requirement = een vereiste

upkeep = onderhoud