copycat

I wonder why the word consists of cat?
I wonder if cats are good at mimic?

Haha, I wonder the same thing. 😯😆

I would say the word "cat" here has nothing to do (at least directly) with the animals.

The term "cat" back when "copycat" was coined (i.e. the 19th century) was used to refer to young men in slang, sort of like "guy". Even today there is a playful expression "cats and kittens" used to mean "boys and girls".

But this is really just a guess.

BTW, if you google "origin of copycat" you will find a number of other theories, but no definitive answer.

The slang of "copycat" has old origins. In past times, the word "cat" was one of contempt for a person. The animal "cat" chased rats in medieval times so while a "cat" was a useful creature to have in like say a mill, the job it had back then was considered disgusting. So to be called a "cat" in medieval times was quite an insult. Even centuries later American urban slang of the 60's and 70's adopted the word "cat" once more to refer to "some dude" or a "slick dude". As in: "Hey that cat owes me money!" "Copycat" however, once again goes back to the original medieval sting in the term "cat". Catburglar being a sneaky quiet thief, adding as both description and insult. Copycat was the criminal act of perpetuating a crime in another another criminals style. Adding "cat" to the copy made you lower than the usual low of just being a criminal. So while today the word is used quite harmlessly to mean "mimic", this word a few centuries ago would have been a terrible insult.