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red lion

An old-fashioned North American term for a puma — also known as a mountain lion, cougar, or panther.

ˈɹɛd ˈlaɪənCurrent117 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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4 citations · last seen May 2026

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#1·Apr 28, 2026

An old-fashioned North American term for a puma — also known as a mountain lion, cougar, or panther. The 'red lion' name references the tawny reddish-brown coat of these large cats, drawing a poetic comparison to the lion of Old World heraldry. While the term is mostly historical and rarely used today, it reflects the creative naming conventions early settlers used to describe unfamiliar American wildlife through familiar European references.

Early settlers in the mountains sometimes called the big cats red lions, not knowing they were a species unique to the Americas.
Origin: Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(US, Canada) The puma.

Heard in the wild
  • “Also requiring MPs to venture as far as the Red Lion to get a drink is not an objectively high bar”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “BLUE BOX: 40 LINDEN ST, STONEBORO PA 16153 BLUE BOX: 7499 Murray Hill Road, COLUMBIA MD 21046 PO LOBBY: 404 E MAIN ST, OTTAWA OH 45875 BLUE BOX: 4 DAIRYLAND SQ, RED LION PA 17356”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “The last hotel was so good (not the red lion inn. The one they restarted in) It even had a big gazeebo”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “We’ve got #BrentfordFC at Man City on Saturday at The Red Lion! See you there! 🐝🗽 #NYCBees #COYB”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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