Cat's out of the bag.

10 February 2012, 22:38

Rather than give it away, can anyone explain the correct meaning of the oft-misunderstood phrase? Those who know might be seafaring types.

10 February 2012, 23:19

Lord Frith

Refers to the Cat o' nine tails used to mete out punishment. This gory instrument was kept in a bag and, when the cat was out someone's day was about to get worse.

Stephen

11 February 2012, 21:20

Rub Line

quote:
Originally posted by Lord Frith:
Refers to the Cat o' nine tails used to mete out punishment. This gory instrument was kept in a bag and, when the cat was out someone's day was about to get worse.

Stephen

That really gives the phrase new meaning for me. Thanks.

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Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Proverbs 26-4

National Rifle Association Life Member

11 February 2012, 22:31

tin can

quote:
Originally posted by Lord Frith:
Refers to the Cat o' nine tails used to mete out punishment. This gory instrument was kept in a bag and, when the cat was out someone's day was about to get worse.

Stephen

Nope.

refers to exposing a secret or plot, etc:

buy pig in a poke (a "poke" is a bag or sack, from old French);
and-
the cat's out of the bag

European; sell a yokel a piglet in a sack w/o letting him see inside (a pig in a poke), the sack actually contains a (worthless) cat. Later, when the yokel opens the bag and finds a cat instead of a pig, the ruse is revealed (the cat's out of the bag), as is the yokel's foolishness (buying a pig he couldn't see).

And that's the truth.

The cat o' ninetails explanation could certainly exist as a result of punning, something that was popular and considered very clever in its day.

12 February 2012, 00:40

OLBIKER

Take a cat any cat and put it in a shopping bag.Fill bag with acetylene gas.Throw match at the bag.Cats outa the bag!!!!

12 February 2012, 03:42

tin can

it was the "yokel" part, right?

12 February 2012, 05:58

Brice

As I understand it, there was somewhat of a legal context. That is, when the captain ordered the bosun's mate to proceed, appeals were over. I may have read that in "Two Year's Before the Mast", by Richard Henry Dana. Dana as a young man had to leave Harvard Law due to poor eyesight. He shipped out on a hide carrier (sailing ship) to California. As a result of his experiences he wrote the book and was the father of federal legislation for seaman's rights. Great read, but that was 40 years ago.