I am speechless.
May 15, 2014
“Has the cat got your tongue?!” Recently I heard a customer in our office use this phrase when speaking to their child and it got me wondering… do I have someone’s tongue? I certainly hope not. I immediately went to my iPad and searched GOOGLE.com to find answers! To my surprise, and horror, I found some disturbing information. For, you see, many etymologists (those that study words and the history of them), attribute this phrase to the frightening maritime torture device, the ‘cat-o-nine-tails‘, and not the modern feline at all. It is said that after a good whipping with this grisly instrument of torture the victim would be rendered speechless. I can imagine so!
So, you see, the ‘cat’ in this case is not your lovable feline… just as I suspected. I would never take anyone’s tongue, nor would I have use for one! I would rather you pet me – with your hand!
Until next time, my faithful readers, remember that things aren’t always as they appear, and GOOGLE has all the answers!
Fondest Regards,
MOIRE
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Have a question for Moiré? Send it directly to the feisty feline at moire@askmpa.com. He’s (im)patiently waiting… (Please note: MPA is not responsible for Moiré’s answers as he sometimes has a bit of a bad attitude.)
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