The Internet Believes a Female Cat is a Molly

Even if you can't recall when or where you first learned the word "tomcat," it's one of those words that everyone seems to be familiar with. Any male cat that parades through the neighborhood is typically referred to as a tom. Because it is so widely used, Tom and Jerry actually created a cartoon about it. Since at least the year 1300, kittens have been referred to as toms. Although versions have been used for far longer, the current usage appears to have started in the 1800s. However, a tom is only ever a male cat, and there is a name for females that is far less frequently used, at least online.

Naturally, while one website may claim that a molly is simply a female who has undergone spaying, another website may claim that a molly is an unspayed cat who is not pregnant. Additionally, another website can claim that it refers to essentially any female cat. The origin of the name Molly in relation to cats is something that no website seems to be able to explain. However, it has already spread so widely that, even if it is a fabrication, everyone seems to accept it.