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

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

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.

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.

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!!!!

it was the "yokel" part, right?

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.

PS Thanks to all who joined the discussion. And thanks to Saeed for providing the forum.