Well I know what it means....but where does that saying come from? A ruddy great tabby hanging by it's claws from your tongue....OUCH!!!!!!
2007-05-13 14:56:55 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
The expression "cat got your Tongue" comes from the English sailing ship days, and refers to the cat of nine tails, if the captain or other officer told someone something in secrecy he would 'get the cat' if he was to tell the others, naturally if the others wanted to know what had been said they would ask, tell us, or are you afraid!!! ..i.e. has the cat got your tongue!
2007-05-13 15:15:54 · answer #1 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The phrase probably comes from a custom in the Mideast hundreds of years ago, when it was common to punish a thief by cutting off their right hand, and a liar by ripping out their tongue. These severed body parts were given to the king's pet cats as their daily food.
2007-05-13 15:02:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It comes from ancient Egypt. People who have talked their way into trouble would have their tongue chopped off and thrown to the cats.
2007-05-13 15:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In French when one can't find any answer(whatever the question is about) we say "I give my tongue to cat" means: "I don't have the faintest clue",unfortunately despite being French myself I don't have the faintest clue about why we say that..."Je donne ma langue au chat",lol.
2007-05-13 19:34:42 · answer #4 · answered by valerie_adele 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you have asked a provotical question.............
I cannot answer!
so the cat did get my tongue!
2007-05-13 15:04:04 · answer #5 · answered by Welshchick 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
*nods head*
2007-05-13 15:00:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
...uh huh...
Yeth, and it hurth...
Damn kitty...
2007-05-13 19:39:26 · answer #7 · answered by Snake Eyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋