Bunting
Cat bunting is a gentle head press where a cat rubs its scent glands on you to mark you as safe and express affection, acting like a purring hug rather than an aggressive hit.
Cat bunting, often called head-butting or nose-bumping, is a gentle behavior where a cat presses its face against a human or object to deposit scent from glands on its head. This action serves as a form of communication that marks the recipient as 'safe' and familiar, expressing deep affection while simultaneously claiming them as part of the cat's social territory. It is distinct from aggressive head-butting and is a hallmark of trust in domestic cat-human relationships.
What this means in real life
A street fair hangs colorful bunting between lampposts to create festive atmosphere. In baseball, a batter bunts to move a runner from second to third base with fewer than two outs.
What it isn’t
Bunting is not the same as a banner or single large flag—it's specifically multiple small decorative pieces strung together. In baseball, bunting is not a full swing; it's a controlled, abbreviated technique.
Commonly misused online
People sometimes use 'bunting' to mean any festive decoration, when it technically refers only to strung flags or fabric strips. Sports fans occasionally confuse bunting with a weak hit or error, though it's an intentional strategic play.