Cat got your tongue? is a question asked when someone doesn’t answer a previously posed question or otherwise remains silent. The origins of this phrase are quite murky. The earliest use of the phrase ‘cat got you tongue’ is found in an American magazine in 1881, where it is described as a taunt used by children.
One origin theory is that cat got your tongue stems from the medieval fear of witches and their familiars, black cats. Another theory is that the “cat” referenced in cat got your tongue is the cat-o’-nine-tails, a vicious whip used on early sailors which would render the victim speechless. A third theory is the assertion that ancient kings cut off the tongues of liars and fed the tongues to their cats.
All of these stories are apocryphal, there is no evidence that the phrase cat got your tongue is anything more than odd, childish imagery.
Ratkin Premium Member about 2 years ago
That took me several seconds to parse. He’s trying to get out of a talk by claiming “cat’s got my tongue.”
wjones about 2 years ago
The born loser can do better than that.
suv2000 about 2 years ago
It was worth a shot
Macushlalondra about 2 years ago
I wouldn’t be so sure. You never know what a cat might do.
Farside99 about 2 years ago
“We’re going to talk” means he’s going to listen.
Ubintold about 2 years ago
Talk is cheap, buy some.
BearsDown Premium Member about 2 years ago
“But she left your brain in the litter box.”
Lee26 Premium Member about 2 years ago
Cat got your tongue? is a question asked when someone doesn’t answer a previously posed question or otherwise remains silent. The origins of this phrase are quite murky. The earliest use of the phrase ‘cat got you tongue’ is found in an American magazine in 1881, where it is described as a taunt used by children.
One origin theory is that cat got your tongue stems from the medieval fear of witches and their familiars, black cats. Another theory is that the “cat” referenced in cat got your tongue is the cat-o’-nine-tails, a vicious whip used on early sailors which would render the victim speechless. A third theory is the assertion that ancient kings cut off the tongues of liars and fed the tongues to their cats.
All of these stories are apocryphal, there is no evidence that the phrase cat got your tongue is anything more than odd, childish imagery.
SheMc about 2 years ago
She looks very pleased with herself!!!
It's Not Easy Bein' Me about 2 years ago
Never argue with your wife, dicker
Buckeye67 about 2 years ago
Feigning deafness may be a better ploy for him.