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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 1, 2007 Origin of 'Cat's game' in tic-tac-toe escapes us My children and I were playing a version of tic-tac-toe at their school's Math Night, and after a tie game, I called "Cats!" Another dad had never heard the phrase for a tie game of tic-tac-toe and suggested it was a regional thing. I have no idea how I learned it, but it was common when I grew up in Portland. Any ideas? -- D.D., Grants Pass We've heard several theories, D.D. 1. Tac spelled backwards is Cat. Advertisement 2. Tic-tac-toe is a "scratch" game, and cats scratch. 3. No matter how hard a cat fights its tail, it never wins, yet it has fun. You buy any of that? OK, then. Here's our favorite: A tie tic-tac-toe game is called a Cat's game when it ends in a tie because then either the X's or O's make a C. And not only is C for cat, it looks like a cat's tail curled up. Having said that, we knew somebody who would cry "Rabbits!" ... Which just goes to show. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary