Familiar Catphrases

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Familiar Cat Phrases and Similes

Centuries of superstition and myth centered around cats have added thousands of phrases and similes to our everyday language. The origins of some of these are harmless, while others are deeply disturbing to us. Here is a listing of some of those familiar, or maybe not so familiar, cat phrases and similes:-

A cat may look at a King. "I am as good as you."
All cats love fish but fear to wet their paws. Wanting something of value without wanting to take the trouble or risk to obtain it.
A cat has nine lives. Cats are hardy, careful animals and when falling will land on their feet generally without ill effect.
Enough to make a cat laugh. Said of something ridiculous.
Enough to make a cat speak. Said of good liquor that will loosen one's tongue.
Hang me in a bottle like a cat. Many years ago an unfortunate cat would be placed in a leather bottle and hung in a tree, for bowmen to shoot at.
It's raining cats and dogs. The cat is supposed to have influence over the weather according to northern mythology. Witches assumed the form of a cat, and were said to ride on storms. Odin, the storm god was attended by a dog & wolf, both being signs of the wind. Therefore the cat could be taken as a symbol of rain, and dog of the accompanying winds. (See alternative suggestion of origin)
Like a cat on hot bricks. Restless and uneasy.
Like something the cat brought in. Of unkempt appearance.
Muffled cats catch no mice (Italian). Said of people who work in gloves so as not to dirty their hands.
Not room to swing a cat. Indicating that there is little space. A suggested origin could be derived from swinging the Cat-o'-nine-tails which was administered at sea in cramped conditions in the old sailing ships.
See how the cat jumps. See what is going to happen before passing an opinion.
Sick as a cat. Cats are prone to vomiting.
The cat's whiskers/pyjamas (US 1900's). Something very good.
To be made a cat's paw of. To do someone's dirty work.
To fight like Kilkenny cats. To fight with complete and utter determination. It is said that during the Irish rebellion of 1798 Kilkenny was occupied by soldiers, who tied two cats together by their tails then proceeded to throw them over a clothes-line to fight. A trooper, upon seeing an officer approaching, sliced through both tails with his sword allowing the terrified animals to escape. When asked to explain the two tails, the officer was told that both cats had been fighting and totally devoured each other except for their tails.
To grin like a Cheshire cat. Made popular by Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland". It is said that Cheshire cheese was once moulded like a cat that seemed to be grinning.

To lead a cat and dog life. To be constantly arguing.
To let the cat out of the bag. To disclose a secret. This phrase dates back to the18th century, when piglets were taken to market in a small sack called a poke. The con men of the day would put a cat in the sack and try to pass it of as a pig. If the cat struggled too much it would often have to be let out, exposing his secret.
To live under the cat's foot. To be henpecked.
To put the cat among the pigeons. To cause trouble.
To turn cat-in-pan. To become a traitor, change sides in trouble.
When the cat's away the mice will play. When the person in charge is absent people will take advantage of the situation.
To play cat and mouse. To treat someone in your power as you like.
Cat-call. Whistling noise used to express displeasure or impatience.
Cat-eyed. To see in the dark.
Cat-ice. Very thin ice; will not even bear the weight of a cat.
Cat-lap. Non-alcoholic drink.
Cat's brains. A formation of sandstone with veins of chalk.
Cats' concert. An unpleasant din; similar to the noise cats make at night.
Cat's cradle. A game played with a piece of string by children.
Cat's eye. A gem of changeable lustre. Also the name of a reflective glass stud embedded in the road to aid motorists at night.
Cat's paw. A light ripple on a calm sea, indicating the end of the prevailing calm. Also a loop formed in a line or rope for attaching a hook, etc.
Cat's whisker. The name given to the fine wire attached to the crystal in the old "crystal" wireless sets.

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