Taylor Swift has earned yet another unexpected accolade, this time from Yale University, which has named her “childless cat lady” quip the most notable quote of 2024. This declaration comes from a ranking curated by the Yale Law Library, which celebrates quotes that are famous, significant, or particularly reflective of the times we live in. And, true to form, Swift’s phrase hit the mark perfectly.
The quote itself hails from a September Instagram post where Swift, 34, expressed her support for Vice President Kamala Harris’s re-election bid. In the post, Swift shared a picture of herself holding one of her beloved cats, Benjamin, and signed off with the line: “With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady.”
It was a playful jab that, in true Swift style, blended wit with a touch of political endorsement. However, the phrase was not born out of nowhere. It directly referenced a 2021 remark made by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who, during an interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, famously said that Democrats were “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices they’ve made.” His comment, intended as an insult, quickly found its way into pop culture, with Selena Gomez and Candice Bergen jokingly adopting the term at the Emmy Awards. Swift’s witty embrace of the label brought the phrase back into the spotlight and, in an unexpected twist, it ended up defining the cultural conversation of the year.
In a statement, Fred Shapiro, an associate director at the Yale Law Library and curator of the list, explained the rationale behind choosing such a quote: “Please note that the items on this list are not necessarily eloquent or admirable quotations, rather they have been picked because they are famous or important or particularly revealing of the spirit of our times.” In other words, it’s not about the quality of the quote but its relevance and impact — and Swift’s playful, irreverent take was certainly resonant.
This recognition follows other significant milestones in Swift’s year, further cementing her place in the cultural zeitgeist. Recently, she was named the top artist across streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Her dominance on the charts was also reflected in Billboard‘s ranking of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century, where she secured the No. 2 spot, just behind Beyoncé.
In addition to her chart-topping achievements, Swift is currently wrapping up her historic Eras Tour, which has broken records left and right since it launched in March 2023. The tour will conclude with a highly anticipated performance in Vancouver on December 8, marking the end of a year that has seen Swift reach even greater heights of success and influence.
For many fans, Swift’s “childless cat lady” line is a reminder of her unique ability to blend personal expression with social commentary, all while maintaining her trademark sense of humor. It’s no surprise that a quote so sharp, yet playful, would capture the cultural mood of the moment, making it the perfect choice for Yale’s top spot.
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