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 →
There is an important difference between the meaning of the word ‘ailurophobe’ and the phrase ‘cat hater’. Some people believe that they are interchangeable. Strictly speaking this is incorrect. True ailurophobes (such a Napoleon) have a cat phobia – a … 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 link is the promiscuous nature of the female urban cat when in heat. You have probably made the association between the words “cathouse” and “pussy”. If you haven’t, this is it. ‘Cathouse’ is a slang word to describe a … 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 →
‘Never buy a pig in a poke’ is closely linked to ‘he let the cat out of the bag’. A trickster would substitute a cat for a pig when taking it to market in a bag (a poke). The buyer would ask to see the pig but told he could not because it might escape. And then the cat is released because he’s struggling too much. The secret it out. A failed attempt at fraud.
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