Upper Lascar Row, better known as Cat Street (Traditional Chinese: 摩羅上街; Simplified Chinese: 摩罗上街; Pinyin: Mōluó Shàng Jiē; Cantonese Yale: Mo1 lo4 seung6 gaai1), is a narrow alley in Mid Levels, Hong Kong that runs parallel to Hollywood Road on the north side. "Lascars" were seamen from the East Indies who frequented the area, giving it a reputation for lawlessness and criminal behaviour. There was an Indian police dormitory in this street. In the past it was a common joke that, if you had something stolen, you were almost certain to find it for sale back in Cat Street. In Cantonese slang thieves are called rats, and the dealers who purchase goods from the rats are cats. Thus this street is also known as "Cat Street" in Cantonese[citation needed].
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