Where did the phrase come from?

Question

Where did the phrase "look what the cat dragged in" come from?
and in what context do you use it?

Answer 1

Cats are known to frequently bring their outside catches in as a gift to their owner. They lay it in front of you, or on your bed...it's a loving gesture. But its obviously something kind of gross and mangled, like a chewed-on mouse.
It's used when a friend comes in, as a friendly but teasing greeting. Especially if they are at the time looking kind of bedraggled.

Answer 2

Well if you have a cat that you let outdoors then tend to drag stuff in. Even though they don't have to hunt for their dinner anymore they still have that predator instinct. They may kill a bird or mouse or something then drag it back into your house. Thus creating something you don't want to deal with ( a bloody carcass ) So when someone walks in your not fond of you say "look what the cat dragged in"

Answer 3

The phrase came about because when people started having cats as pets they would drag dead birds and mice in to the home. It is just an expression to be used when something unpleasant comes near you.

Answer 4

Cats drag in all manner of filthy and disgusting things. Dead animals and such.

It's a saying that the person looks like they've been through hell and are as bad off as a bird the cat killed and dragged into the house.

I say, "Look what the cat coughed up." I think it implies something even more disgusting.

Answer 5

'Look what the cat dragged in' refers to a dead mouse or bird or rat etc. that said cat has brought inside (as almost all cats do): obviously not a nice thing to see! It is often used as an insult when an unwanted person walks into a room or otherwise attracts attention.

Answer 6

The phrase look what the cat dragged in, reffers to things that cats tend to leave on the doorstep for their owners, normally things like Mice, or Birds, or Rats. but often cats bring in all sorts of things. originating in the middle ages.

Answer 7

'Look what the cat dragged in'
This folksy expression is said about someone or something that looks messy, dirty or in worse than normal condition. If a child comes into a house with mud and stains on his clothes, the mother might say ‘Look what the cat dragged in!’ This expression should only be used with friends, since people might get offended if you say it and don’t know them!

Answer 8

Look what the cat dragged in - A slightly derogatory comment on someone's arrival

Origin unknown, but an obvious reference to cats' tendency to bring home its prey, tattered and torn after "playing" with it for a while.

Answer 9

You would use for example when someone who is disliked or the topic of discussion walks in eg. "Well look what the cat dragged in. Doesn't she look terrible!". I think the saying goes back a long way, from England I believe but not sure when it first came into useage!

Answer 10

Look what the cat dragged in describes the rough appearance of one coming in from heavy drinking and/or fighting (1800s) refers to some cats' practice of bringing half-eaten carcasses to their owners