Wierd Cat Behaviour?

[elliesvictim]

I am currently doing a job where I pass a lot of cats on the street. I like to pat then and try the cat language/body language I use on my cat. I have recently passed a ginger long hair and it approached me for a pat. I rubbed my hand across its side and scratched under its neck. I gave it a scratch above its butt at the base of its tail and it appeared to lick the air then hiss. I've seen the licking the air before but never the hiss. No other aggression. Tail raised and swaying gently and no raised fur. Anyone else seen this before? Is this cat saying she "no-like"?

 

[rubysmama]

I don't know for sure, but I think hissing generally means "back off".

Here's a TCS article that mentions hissing.
Cat Sounds - Feline Vocal Communication

 

[di and bob]

Two of my cats, who mainly love all kinds of attention, will do the same thing if scratched near the base of the tail. I assume they are more sensitive there, and the scratching is a little too much so they are telling me to back off. The licking is in response to the 'itch' you are creating. As long as you stop there won't be any aggression.