2006-11-25 06:28:37 · 13 answers · asked by jennifer g 7 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Why......?
2006-11-25 06:28:51 · update #1
It almost got my tongue so to speak...my cat spilled coffee all over my keyboard earlier today...thankfully it is ok!
2006-11-25 06:37:39 · answer #1 · answered by tigerlily_catmom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As is often the case with idioms, no one's positive of the origins of "cat got your tongue." However, there's no shortage of theories. Here are a few, in no particular order...
Theory #1
The saying comes from the Middle East, where as punishment, liars had their tongues ripped out and fed to the king's cats.
Theory #2
Fear of a whipping with a cat-o'-nine-tails, or "cat" for short, could paralyze a victim into silence.
Theory #3
The expression comes from the Middle Ages when witches were greatly feared and often put to death. It was believed that if you saw a witch, her cat would somehow "steal" or control your tongue so you couldn't report the sighting.
Theory #4
This one comes from our old friend Evan Morris, the Word Detective: "There's no particular logic to 'cat got your tongue,' except that cats have served as the object of human myth and metaphor for thousands of years."
So there you have it -- sort of. This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are probably at least a half a dozen more possible explanations. Let's just leave it at this: "Like the history of the word 'cat' itself, the origins of some of these expressions are as mysterious as the Sphinx."
2006-11-25 06:46:46 · answer #2 · answered by CommanderJim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but I did temporarily paralyze the little turd for climbing up the drapes. We no longer have that cat anymore. In fact I don't have any pets.
2006-11-25 06:31:37 · answer #3 · answered by Dorkboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat Jax is my voice, I dont need my tongue. :)
2006-11-25 06:32:01 · answer #4 · answered by selfchecku 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes and Im running to the hospital right now! i just tried to pet the dang thing O my god blood every where I got to get off and go!
2006-11-25 06:30:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No - they never proved that! That cat was my special friend!
2006-11-25 06:30:30 · answer #6 · answered by ericscribener 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and now I must paws and think about what to do about it.
2006-11-25 06:47:21 · answer #7 · answered by Feathery 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope
2006-11-25 06:35:31 · answer #8 · answered by katja 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mhhh mhmmh!
2006-11-25 06:30:30 · answer #9 · answered by That one guy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no the egg-beater did, didnt you read my question last night?????????
2006-11-25 06:32:40 · answer #10 · answered by Perfectly Insane 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋