Chatty Doll Cathy Company Mattel Produced Popular Talk

Between 1959 and 1965, a well-known toy company called Mattel produced the Chatty Cathy dolls, which became almost as popular as "Barbie dolls" (slender, beautiful dolls; see English Café 140). The doll had a "pull-string" (a small string with a hook or circle on one end, and the other end inside a toy) that, when pulled, caused the doll to "talk." She "randomly" (unpredictably; not knowing which one would come next) "spoke" phrases, which included, "I love you," "Let's play school," "Please take me with you," "Tell me a story," and "May I have a cookie?"

The doll was originally a "Caucasian" (with white skin) doll with blue eyes and blonde hair. Later the company introduced Chatty Cathy dolls with darker hair, as well as an African American doll. Children could dress her in "outfits" (sets of clothing) that were sold separately.

7The doll was very popular and soon many other toys with "outfitted" (equipped) with similar pull-string devices so that they could "talk." As Chatty Cathy's success grew, Mattel introduced other dolls in the "line" (a group of related products), such as Chatty Baby, Tiny Chatty Brother, "Charmin'" (very appealing) Chatty, and Singin' Chatty.

Although the dolls are no longer being produced today, we sometimes hear people refer to a woman as a "chatty Cathy." This is to indicate that she talks too much, but of course this is not a polite phrase.