Why are the young of some Felidae called cubs, while others are called kittens?

Question

Why are the young of some Felidae called cubs, while others are called kittens?

Answer 1

Actually, it's more about size than classification. The young of large cats, including cheetahs and cougars as well as tigers and lions and such, are referred to as cubs, whilst those of smaller cats, such as ocelots, margays and domestic cats, are called kittens.

It's only the cats in the genus Panthera that are referred to as the 'roaring cats' - that is, the tiger, lion, jaguar and leopard. The snow leopard and clouded leopard were once also included in this genus, but are now placed in Uncia and Neofelis respectively.

Answer 2

Don't know if anyone's answered because my Internet's a little slow.  The cubs I believe are from the big five roaring cats: lion, tiger, snow leopard, leopard, and jaguar I think.  The kittens are from the non-roaring cats like the cougar and cheetah.  I can't remember who roars and who doesn't, but either way just look up the roaring cats online and that's where the cubs come from.  There are four or five roaring cats.