Smudge the Cat's Owner on Viral 'Woman Yelling at a Cat' Success | Meet the Meme

Smudge the Cat is a white cat who rose to fame online for appearing in a photograph seated in front of a salad plate from the Woman Yelling at a Cat meme, sometimes referred to as Confused Cat at Dinner.
We sat down with Smudge's owner, Miranda Stillabower, and learned how he became an internet star and major meme.
Read our entry on Smudge: knowyourmeme.com/memes/smudge...
Check out Smudge online:
Instagram: / smudge_lord
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@smudge_lord?l...
#smudge #womanyellingatacat #smudgethecat

[@mirandapanda3132]

Thank you to everyone who watched our interview and who loves Smudge! We appreciate all of you guys so much. It has made this crazy experience into something we’ll never forget! Smudge would also like to thank everyone for sending virtual taters 😜

[@KnowYourMeme]

You're the best!

[@user-ck9lm6xi1o]

TELL SMUDGY I LOVE HIM!!

[@theactualTVB]

Smudge is a very cute cat.

[@LazarheaD]

How can anyone be angry at a cat like this

[@gilchgo]

Smudge rescued me from the brink of despair. He came into my life at the beginning of the pandemic and as my work from home quarantine went from days to weeks to months to 1 year+ I found myself looking for Smudge memes online. They are funny, quirky, naughty, and most of all, endearing. They truly replaced the dark shadows of social isolation with joy and laughter. Thanks Smudge and Miranda!

[@handle1644]

Imagine your cat being the breadwinner of the house

[@miss42310]

I wish

[@kleuafflatus]

Literally the original Puss in boots: first time?

[@cocomo3141]

I wish... but she's not very funny...

[@jacksont9455]

And he doesn’t even know

[@viv_uriarte]

My cats just act like they are

[@michaelthompson2023]

So odd that a simple white cat that was adopted would become a living legend we love you smudge your a rock star

[@lordofrims]

Oh you'd love Tardar Sauce (Grumpy Cat) then.

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

This is the bright side of social media, a sweet cat and a bunch of clever funny people.❤

[@StellaGoetia666]

@@symptomoftheuniverse4149 and people who can't tell the difference between "your" and "you're (you are)"

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

@@StellaGoetia666 Thanks for proving my point.👹

[@iknowexactlywhoyouare8701]

*you’re

[@LuciferTheDogKiller]

I can tell smudge is well fed.

[@professorrosenstock5026]

Very well fed

[@iPrerna]

he has been feeding himself ever since the meme..

[@dewilew2137]

How?

[@dewilew2137]

@@professorrosenstock5026 ?

[@LuciferTheDogKiller]

@@dewilew2137 Look how big he is. 🤦🏻

[@TheBearAspirin]

I love that during the video Smudge refuses to even look at the camera 😼

[@Ana_1980]

He is waiting for the right time to allow for more meme material.

[@BlankCanvas88]

She seems like such a down-to-earth sweetheart. The perfect person to uphold Lord Smudge's legacy. 🐈

[@FluffyBunny9002]

She seems like she believes in pronouns and probably has a blue/yellow flag in her bio.

[@hannahbull]

@@FluffyBunny9002 it would be weird if she didn’t believe in pronouns seeing as pronouns are a fundamental part of our communication as you demonstrated in your comment. The flag you’re referring to is the Ukrainian flag and everyone should support the people of Ukraine.

[@FluffyBunny9002]

@@hannahbull Two pronouns yes. Not 5,674 (and counting). The Ukrainians can fight their own damn war and stop taking money away from Americans. They're a bunch of nazis anyway. Look it up.

[@dionysianapollomarx]

@@FluffyBunny9002 I mean, pretty bold way to implicitly say you believe in two kinds of genocide on your part. Kudos.

[@FluffyBunny9002]

@@dionysianapollomarx I don't believe in genocide, but I do believe in "not my problem" and if we keep sending all our tax dollars over there, our country will continue to descend into chaos, ruining the lives of nearly everyone here.

[@BlueScreenCorp]

How on earth does Know Your Meme keep finding the people behind the memes?

[@carlvioleta1030]

Magic

[@KnowYourMeme]

Appreciate it! It's what we've been doing forever, just not always in video form.

[@primonomeultimonomen1548]

69 nice

[@UKGrime9]

@@KnowYourMeme doing gods work. I love context and knowing the reason/people behind the meme.

[@stellviahohenheim]

doxx them

[@nilnil8411]

The owner sure is a kind lady.

[@LilacMonarch]

You mean Smudge's human

[@cardflopper3307]

This girl is a very good speaker / story teller

[@xtrastrengthsassx1269]

This is a good catch! She tells stories in order, at a good pace, and with a good amount of detail. It’s easier to notice if you’re like me, and your rate of speech is all over the place, you’re always going off on side tangents, and never know where to start, lol.

[@dollarcostbackpacker1226]

Notes, and practice. Builds confidence.

[@FimbongBass]

She has probably told this story before many times tbh

[@a.h.2667]

I really hope Smudge and the lady from Real Housewives can meet IRL.

[@jasonkh4]

The real-life collab we need but don’t deserve

[@ariathyf144]

Not going to happen since the kitty passed away 4month ago from nose cancer.

[@jonvalen440]

No he didn’t really?????

[@jonvalen440]

@@ariathyf144 you are maybe talking about the Scottish catch. Sometimes he was also Smudge. I think his real name was Thornton or some shit

[@jonvalen440]

Thurston Waffles died of cancer

[@HectorJPeabody]

Aww! Smudge’s mom is so adorable!! 🥺🥺

[@swarnadipmitra4090]

Actually he is adopted

[@007Julie]

@@swarnadipmitra4090shh, I don’t think he knows that.

[@nicolebrown1927]

I knowwwww!

[@MJPok]

U mean Smudge's pet?

[@roadb4350]

I love how smudge just walks in the backround

[@subaerofreeman1957]

I'm amaze that the revenue from the shirt sale are going to charity, bless her heart .

[@reggiep75]

The original meme and savage wave of aftershock memes has given me such joy.. The salad face is something to giggle at.

[@rastatararararsta2835]

the way Smudge doesn't care at all is so funny 🥺❤️

[@BoundaryYoukai]

Imagine being Smudge and just waking up from your daily normal sleep then you see that you are already famous and you see your photos at social media and internet...

[@aemrt5745]

Its all part of the plan for cats to dominate the world. Ever notice that cat videos are the most watched topic? Coincidence? I think not!

[@Aquanex2]

I've seen a lot of memes come and go over the years. This by far my favorite meme ever created and it always makes me laugh. My coworker works in payroll and has one printed out at her desk. Yelling lady: "My paychecks were nothing but envelopes filled with parsley!" Smudge: "Somebody garnished your wages." 😂😂😂

[@Lilboozibert]

😆

[@Candyy248]

This one is my second favourite My first favourite is amogus v:

[@PichuElric]

Asdfhjk that's a hilarious meme

[@sammicoporsammicopor]

That made me chuckle

[@oscarcovarrubias5874]

That's funny.

[@VetaPhoenix]

Awww. Love hearing the backstory on this. I lost my own Smudge in 2017. She was about to turn 18 that year. This meme has always been pretty bitter sweet for me. Hope your Smudge lives a long and healthy life, like mine did. 💜

[@ricopin]

I gonna take a sip of white whine in the name of your smudge. Greetings from Germany.

[@VetaPhoenix]

@@ricopin Thank you so much 🥰 She was my furry little soul mate

[@VetaPhoenix]

@@ricopin Thank you so much

[@REMOTEGIRL]

It almost feels like the success of Smudge was a miracle gift returned to you for your good deeds with rescue cat efforts. Thank you for deciding you wouldn't leave his fate to chance ;u;

[@derrekleea.nuesca3502]

Ah, first we got the woman's perspective and now we got the cat's perspective.

[@hejiranyc]

…but someone came up with the brilliant idea to merge Smudge with the Real Housewives. THAT is the person who deserves the accolades.

[@billgates3877]

yeah, wth, that is the ACTUAL person that created the meme, not the person who just owns the cat in the meme

[@clownie1313]

@@billgates3877 oh yeaa good luck searching for the first anonymous person who made this on internet

[@hypnos2434]

what would be the story behind it? that they were bored and saw smudge and had this brilliant idea to make a mash up to make the meme. I think the story of smudge being a rescue has more depth and meaning, don't you think?

[@hejiranyc]

@@hypnos2434 Uh, no. It takes incredible intuition to create a viral meme. Anyone can combine two images. But this particular combination is so random, so nonsensical, yet hilarious.

[@v.kipgen8732]

@@hejiranyc Calm your tits.

[@Froschi2000]

Wholesome 100, awesome that she helps the cat rescue with merch money.

[@SummerofKittyLove]

Aww makes me happy to know that Smudge’s owner is a rescuer who helps shelters and animal charities!

[@djull2204]

Smudge is not a cat. He is a feline sensation ❤️😺

[@guerralg63]

It really is amazing how something so ordinary like adopting a cat can become such a phenomenon. You truly were rewarded 10 fold for your kindness!

[@delmaneboshoff5610]

Smudge is an absolute blooming legend. Love him. The memes are epic.

[@hitler200]

I had this cat as my profile picture from about 2 years 😂

[@GGiblet]

He's such a precious king, we love him and thank you for sharing him and brightening so many lives✨

[@jerrygoodman1943]

Smudge is fucking adorable. I've only had 1pure white cat. They're always like this

[@mistersir3185]

I can listen to this woman talk all day. She is adorable and knows how to talk without sounding boring

[@TheFifileigh]

i adopted my late cat, Gumby, at 8 when a neighbor died of cancer. i kept Gumby indoors, and he died last year at 22, a month after he turned 22.

[@AdeleiTeillana]

I have a white rescue cat - much more petite than Smudge (at 4.5 years old, she still has 6-7 month old kitten body proportions, so she's adorably cute). I managed to get a photo of her doing the Smudge face once and I was so excited, lol.

[@01olracman]

Smudge is such a character inside and outside of the meme

[@tonymctony4551]

Smudge reminds me of my lost cat Whitey . I still have dreams of my lost kitty. Take care of him . He loves you.

[@Pilliii]

I love the cat so much. During the interview he was literally in this own world😭

[@joen8529]

You’d think they’d get the cat together with the housewives at conventions or something.

[@UTAU53Yui]

They keep throwing him treats to keep him on the table XD

[@danmccarthy4700]

Very few memes have had the staying power that this one's had.

[@TheodoreManthovani]

A thousand years from now, aliens will find the Smudge Lord cult in history and think humans worship a cat deity.

[@jema2609]

Not the first time in history! I wonder if those hieroglyphs were just the ancient Egyptian version of memes...🤔

[@TheodoreManthovani]

@@jema2609 Lel. Possibly right. Oh hey Bastet-chan!

[@furioussherman7265]

I'd never have guessed that Smudge was Canadian.

[@imperialthreat]

This makes me so happy to know the back story! Such a darling cat! ❤

[@ambermaccraig7316]

Thank you for donating profits to a cat rescue, that is a wonderful idea. I wish more people would think of our animal friends like you have. I am a cat rescuer myself, and do what I can, but seeing other people standing up and helping out always warms my heart and gives me hope for furry friends/family. Honestly, I had never heard of Smudge before seeing this video, but I'm glad you decided to adopt him even though he wasn't what you were expecting lol. He is a beautiful boy, he is lucky to have found you and you, him. Ty for sharing.

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

A smudge is also a bundle of sage, that people burn to bring in positive vibes. I think. You are a great cat mom❤

[@ferretyluv]

THAT’S THE WORD. I’ve been trying to remember the word “smudgestick” forever. Thank you, kind stranger.

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

@@ferretyluv Oh, my pleasure! Happy New Year!

[@sillau9]

Burning sage are demonic

[@alisoncrosse4743]

How wonderful to come across this! What a great story about Smudge.

[@uncriticalthinkerNZ]

My cat likes having her tail pulled too. I’ve got used to it, but it confused me to start with. She was also an adult adoption. She’s called Sparrow.

[@lyndabrown811]

Smudge is the Garfield of a new generation. Love them both!

[@elladapetrosyan9610]

It's my absolute favorite meme. Smudge's face expression is hilarious.

[@mtho3509]

He looks like such a happy cat

[@MusondaV]

And to think of it that the woman who is yelling has a very dark story behind that meme

[@Search4TruthReality]

Grey patches disappearing from a kitten's head as it ages is normal. Yea. It's a thing. I learned about this when I met a cat breeder. As such, Smudge was likely still very young when Miranda adopted him.

[@spectrickx1678]

Smudge is a gem.

[@sapphirexwind]

The real hero here is whoever got that picture.

[@jaybird2791]

He's freaking adorable!! Probably the most famous cat around!!

[@S1lvermoon]

I saw the interview with the woman screaming and her side of the story But we still hasn’t gotten the cat side of the story, we only got the cat owner side of the story damn

[@AmajeOfficial]

Cats are Gods gifts to humanity, we should be grateful. Honestly

[@jeannetterw]

Hands down one of my favourite vintage memes.

[@WahaHeyHa]

Smudge couldn’t have happened to a more delightful person ❤ Greetings from Australia

[@vacafuega]

What a cutie pie kitten. Great he has such a caring and nice human :)

[@hassanhdez794]

in spanish this meme is usually "you said that". like: lady: you said that you were in shape! cat: yes, the shape of a couch potato!

[@olliverklozov2789]

When the memes came out I told everyone my cat was an exact twin. When I found out it was also named Smudge I was shocked. Now I find out we named them for the same reason (a gray patch on the head of an otherwise perfectly white coat that disappeared as she grew up). When the grey patch was gone I was left having to explain to people why I named her Smudge.

[@Shizzow]

finally met this viral cat. every time I see this meme on social media every time I smile to myself😆. took a photo while he was reacting very accurately

[@stephen7862]

That short part of the video with the matrix version of Smudge as a meme got me good xD

[@hansbehrends438]

So that's the absolute savage in real life! In actuality a very agreeable cat.

[@skkahl3400]

I thought it was photoshopped. He was really at a table. Cool.

[@megumin-staff6937]

Wishing this iconic cat and his family a very lovely new year!!!

[@melissaexton8680]

First, Smudge is awesomely awesome! Second, did the Housewives of the meme ever reach out to meet him?

[@Andromeda42]

I found a format of this meme that was redone in the style of like a tavern in DnD. "The party trying to play a serious campaign: " " my tabaxi PC who joined the party to fund his crippling addiction to cheese: "

[@bronxkies]

People often say my sweet little girl looks like Smudge lolol. They do bear a resemblance but we all know King Smudge is in his own lane lol

[@SunayanaSB1998]

Lord Smudge❤

[@jwrockets]

I'm amazed the cat stayed on the table the entire time.

[@mikeb4198]

2:08 perfection embodied

[@tishie42]

Rodin would have a new muse for sure.

[@jwoellhof]

I'm just glad that the person who owns the cat and took the photo is actually getting to capitalize on it.

[@cocomo3141]

He doesn't like salad!!!????? Lol him being in the background 😂

[@greggreg2263]

Smudge is a rockstar❤ thank you for rescuing three cats🙏

[@nikkirivera]

Everytime I see the meme of this cats face I laugh. Love you Smudge! Also good on the owner for not leaving him in the situation he was in.

[@sandravaldez6278]

Good for you helping animals in a rescue and getting experience in business and a career … you can find value in animals in decent way my respects to you 👍🏼

[@bambimbambas]

The legend doesn't even give a heck about the camera. True Gigachad. The GOAT 🏆

[@billydubs]

Lovely story, so nice to hear good news. You're both a blessing. Xx

[@musashinagatsubo9574]

This story is so close to home with me. I adopted a white cat named "Smudge" who lost the mark when he was about 1 year old. We named him Gandalf as in Gandalf the White. He's 14 y/o now.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Interesting backstory like "Right in front of my salad?".

[@drcapt]

Fantastic interview

[@arthurchen6464]

This is great. Love it that know your meme gets the actual people associated with the memes to explain everything and tell us a bit more about themselves. Great series (is it a series?).

[@kittygaillot2286]

After many stressful days at work, it’s always nice to get a refreshing dose of laughter upon having one of the Smudge’s memes show up on my Facebook page. Happy new year! :-)

[@gamingwithsagesagegaming715]

this cat is just so funny even if they were not a meme, because I have never seen a cat like sitting in a chair other then my 9 month old cat that's as big as a 2.8 or something year old cat of mine and the cat of mine that likes sitting in chairs only likes my moms rocking chair

[@barrysigns6962]

My cat makes this exact face and I think of smudge everytime😂

[@dooglebee]

I love Smudge and all the laughs his memes have created! 😍😆

[@angelswings1219]

Smudge has brought so much laughter. By the way, is Smudge's image also the "jiving cat"? This is the white cat usually in music videos but not always that his bobbing his head to the groove. He is frequently in The Kiffnesses music videos - ironically those NOT his cat collaborations but with his human collaborations. I discovered this video last night - NYE and was so happy I got to know Smudge's story and see him in real life.

[@minagica]

I'm so glad you took him home, I wouldn't have been able to leave him there regardless if age either 😍😍😍

[@Galaxy-ho2pk]

How can anyone not love Smudge 😍🤗

[@Andrea-rw9tf]

He has brought me so much joy!

[@android584]

Now we finally know what the expression was all about. He was just getting scratched on the head

[@weirdshibainu]

More and more, I get the feeling that cats knew, before anyone else, that social media would be a thing one day...and they would rule it by proxy.

[@MachetesAreFun]

I'm glad I stumbled upon this. I have been wondering about the origins of the meme and the cat and women in it. I first saw it not in original form but as a Skyrim meme. I saw the original meme later and I have been curious about where it came from and how it happened ever since, so thank you for the story behind it! 😀

[@yardsausage]

my favorite meme is the woman yelling..its called "chest of drawers"..and smudge replies..chester drawers..i love that one.

[@crystalpastor8665]

I love Smudge, he’s so cute!!

[@teslagirl1]

Nobody owns a cat...humans merely have the privilege of feeding them, cleaning up after them, brushing, providing vet care and entertainment...and anything else they decide they want. Like your pillow. Or your keyboard. If anything, we belong to them. Smudge already knows this.

[@inmydarkesthour2278]

I love love love his face in the photo that started it all ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@robbabcock_]

What a surprisingly wholesome & charming story!🥰🐱❤

[@sharongagnist6428]

I love Smudge he looks like my 17 y/o Princess! Thank you for sharing both Smudge and your story!

[@betsybarnicle8016]

Thank you for helping animals.

[@perrydowd9285]

Some cats enjoy having their tails gently pulled or even being picked up by the base of the tail. Cats call this "meow meow prrrr", which is cat for lazy backstretch. 🐱😻