The English language is humorous at occasions—take idioms, for instance. Idioms are phrases that current a figurative which means however one which sometimes doesn’t have something to do with the precise phrases within the phrase. It may possibly generally be fairly complicated whether or not you’re a local or non-native English speaker!
Out of the wealth of idioms within the English language, you’ll discover many who contain cats. You’re most likely acquainted with a few of these phrases (“Cat obtained your tongue?”), however have you ever ever questioned the place these phrases got here from and what they imply? We’ve rounded up ten of the commonest cat idioms and sayings to clarify simply that!
Prime 10 Cat Idioms & Sayings
1. As Nervous as a Lengthy-Tailed Cat in a Room Stuffed with Rocking Chairs
Which means: The which means of this one is pretty explanatory. In the event you put a long-tailed cat in a room stuffed with rocking chairs that have been rocking away, the cat’s tail would more than likely get squashed sooner or later by a rocker, which suggests the cat could be fairly nervous. And that’s the which means of this idiom—to be extremely nervous.
Origin: The phrase seems to have originated in 1953 in a syndicated column in a newspaper that said, “Subsequent to dwelling on the aspect of a volcano, essentially the most hazardous existence we will consider is that of a long-tailed cat in a home stuffed with rocking chairs.” And in 1956, Tennessee Ernie Ford used the phrase, “He was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs,” making it widespread all through the Southern states.
2. Cat Acquired Your Tongue?
Which means: This is likely one of the extra generally used idioms relating to felines (and is presumably the most well-liked one!). When somebody asks if the cat obtained your tongue, it means the individual they’re saying it to isn’t speaking (and is most frequently used when somebody doesn’t reply a query).
Origin: It’s not entirely clear the place this phrase originated, however it might have come to us way back to historic Egypt. In these days, crime may very well be punished by the removing of an individual’s tongue (that was then fed to a cat). The phrase may also have come from the Center Ages when folks believed a witch’s cat acquainted might paralyze and even steal your tongue so you’d be unable to talk. Nonetheless, the phrase may also solely date to 19th century England and the US, when the phrase was used on kids who had gotten in bother and wouldn’t reply questions.
3. Cat’s Meow
Which means: This slang time period grew to become widespread in America within the Twenties and was used to proclaim that one thing was wonderful. For some motive, phrases utilizing animal anatomy to indicate excellence have been used usually again then. Associated phrases embrace the cat’s pajamas, bee’s knees, and canary’s tusks.
Origin: This idiom was coined by American journalist and cartoonist Thomas Dorgan, who additionally invented a number of other phrases and superlatives.
4. Curiosity Killed the Cat
Which means: Felines are curious by nature, however that curiosity can get them in bother at occasions! And that’s what this phrase refers to—being so interested in one thing that you find yourself in bother since you requested too many questions or wind up with regrets due to what you found. Primarily, don’t go poking your nostril into issues that don’t concern you!
Origin: This phrase appears to be a extra trendy model of “care killed the cat”, which was used usually by the tip of the 16th century (together with by Shakespeare). “Curiosity killed the cat” was among the many phrases discovered within the 1873 e-book “A handbook of proverbs: English, Scottish, Irish, American, Shakespearean, and scriptural; and household mottoes” and seems to have been coined by the Irish.
5. Fraidy- or Scaredy-Cat
Which means: The which means of this saying is pretty self-explanatory—for those who’re a cat guardian, you realize that felines may be skittish (and bounce ten ft within the air), so this phrase is used to explain an individual who’s scared or timid. It’s additionally a phrase that’s used extra usually as a childhood taunt than an on a regular basis phrase utilized by all.
Origin: So far as the phrase “fraidy-cat” goes, its origins are unknown, however by 1871 it was a generally used slang time period. Nonetheless, the time period “scaredy cat” got here later and is most frequently attributed to Dorothy Parker, who used the phrase in her 1933 story “The Waltz”.
6. It’s Raining Cats and Canines
Which means: “It’s raining cats and dogs” merely means it’s raining closely.
Origin: The origin of this phrase is unclear, however there are some theories. One is that the phrase originated in 17th century Europe—again then, drainage programs on buildings weren’t one of the best, and through heavier rain showers, all the things that was caught in them would come pouring out (together with corpses of animals that had gotten caught). However the phrase could also be even older and associated to the Greek phrase “katadoupoi,” which refers to waterfalls. Nonetheless, we don’t know for certain why or when this phrase got here into being.
7. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Which means: That is one other of the extra generally used cat sayings and means to disclose a secret accidentally.
Origin: Once more, the origins of this phrase are unclear. Folklore signifies it might need one thing to do with the previous of the British Royal Navy, the place folks have been disciplined with the cat-o’-nine-tails. Or maybe it happened through the Renaissance in England when the livestock commerce was an enormous factor, and also you could be advised you’re being bought a pig in a bag, solely to find it’s a cat as an alternative. However truthfully, nobody is aware of for certain!
8. Like One thing the Cat Dragged In
Which means: This cat saying is utilized in a playful (or generally derogatory) strategy to point out that somebody is trying slightly tough. You may additionally hear it phrased as, “Look what the cat dragged in” or “one thing the cat introduced in.”
Origins: But once more, that is an idiom the place the precise origins stay unknown. Nonetheless, the phrase appeared in 1877 within the Perrysburg Journal and Harper’s Bazaar.
9. Just like the Cat That Ate the Canary
Which means: If a cat manages to free a canary from its cage to eat it, then you may think about that feline could be fairly smug! And that’s the which means of this phrase—to really feel smug or self-satisfied with one thing you’ve carried out. You’ll additionally discover this phrase utilized in England, however with a tweak—“just like the cat that obtained the cream.”
Origins: “Just like the cat that ate the canary” hasn’t been round so long as many different cat sayings. It appears the primary occasion of it getting used to explain somebody was in 1911 within the Milwaukee Journal as an outline of a political determine.
10. Whereas the Cat’s Away, the Mice Will Play
Which means: This feline phrase is used pretty usually as nicely. As a result of cats are known for hunting mice, it is smart that if a cat is away, the mice will come out of hiding. So, this phrase means when your boss (or one other authority determine) isn’t round, it’s time to let unfastened!
Origin: “Whereas the cat’s away, the mice will play” appears to have been used as a proverb way back to the 1600s. It was utilized in A Lady Kill’d With Kindness, by Thomas Heywood, in 1607.
Conclusion
Our cats are a large part of our lives and have performed an enormous position all through humanity’s historical past. So, it’s no shock cats have made their manner into a few of our extra frequent English idioms and sayings. And now you realize the meanings and origins of lots of the most frequently used kitty idioms, so you may impress your family and friends along with your information the following time they use one in all these phrases!
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