This post is all about the origin of “raining cats and dogs”. That really is all the post can be about other than its meaning. So for people whose first language is not English, this phrase means “it is raining … Continue reading →
This phrase means no room to swing a cat-o’-nine-tails, the whip used to punish British sailors and soldiers from the 17th century until it was outlawed in 1881. The cramped quarters below deck on ship prevented the use of this … Continue reading →
The words in the title were said by Sir Kingsley Amis (1922-1995). Sir Kingsley Amis was an English novelist, poet, critic and teacher. He wrote more than 20 novels and six volumes of poetry and a lot more besides. Also, … Continue reading →
‘Cathouse’ is slang for brothel. It has been used for centuries. The origin of the word is rooted in the perceived promiscuity of the urban female cat who attracts many tom cats when she is in heat and mates with … Continue reading →
It means that a person has little or no chance of success in what he/she is about do. It is an abbreviation of the phrase ‘no more chance than a cat in hell without claws’. The two key parts of … Continue reading →
The belief that a domestic cat could suck the breath out of a baby probably stemmed from a combination of factors: Cats were considered to be witches’ familiars, companions to witches, at the time when people believed in witchcraft. Some … Continue reading →
Recently, Mark Zuckerberg was asked to attend an important international grand committee set up, as I understand it, by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee at the Houses of Parliament in London, UK. The intention was to question Mr … Continue reading →
This is about the trinity of trinities – 3 x 3 making 9 (lives) – and the number 9 being a lucky number. The domestic cat’s inquisitiveness leads her into hazardous situations from which she is able to extricate herself … Continue reading →
He are some examples of how the cat, throughout history, was used and abused in an unthinking way at the convenience of people. Centuries ago the attitude towards cats was probably less enlightened resulting in callous, officially sanctioned abuse. There … Continue reading →
Introduction “Euthanasia of convenience” is a quote from an English animal behaviour expert2 who was referring to two dogs that are in the news today (19th Sept 2013). They are Brus and Blade. They were the RAF dogs that guarded … Continue reading →
