but we don't have flogging. The saying refers to the cat`o' nine tails. Unless you swing your cat around your head.
I think you're wrong, or it's at least open to interpretation.
From phrases.org.uk
"Whether the 'cat' was a real moggy or the flail-like whip used to punish sailors in the British Navy isn't clear. Many reports claim that the cat in question is the 'cat o'nine tails'. As so often though, they don't supply evidence, just certainty. As a candidate for folk etymology goes the 'cat o' nine tails' story has it all - plausibility, a strong storyline and a nautical origin. That's enough to convince many people - the actual evidence shows the theory to be highly dubious. The phrase itself dates from at least the 17th century. Richard Kephale's Medela Pestilentiae, 1665:
"They had not space enough (according to the vulgar saying) to swing a Cat in."
The nature of that citation makes it clear that the phrase was already in use prior to it being committed to paper. The 'cat o' nine tails' isn't recorded until 1695 though, in William Congreve's Love for Love:
"If you should give such language at sea, you'd have a cat-o'-nine-tails laid cross your shoulders."
If those dates are in fact the earliest uses then the 'cat o' nine tails' theory is wrong. The task for anyone who wants to claim that theory correct is to pre-date those citations. "
And QI said it wasn't the cat o'nine tails as well.
Part of the punishment for a wrongdoer in the RN of the time was to fashion his own 'cat' which was inspected and then put safely into a bag. When the time for the punishment arrived, the miscreant was tied, his back bared, and 'the cat was let out of the bag'.
Comments
The saying refers to the cat`o' nine tails.
Unless you swing your cat around your head.
just wait 'til your father gets home
and don't forget to wash behind your ears before you go out
'Curbs could manage that premier league team'
From phrases.org.uk
"Whether the 'cat' was a real moggy or the flail-like whip used to punish sailors in the British Navy isn't clear. Many reports claim that the cat in question is the 'cat o'nine tails'. As so often though, they don't supply evidence, just certainty. As a candidate for folk etymology goes the 'cat o' nine tails' story has it all - plausibility, a strong storyline and a nautical origin. That's enough to convince many people - the actual evidence shows the theory to be highly dubious. The phrase itself dates from at least the 17th century. Richard Kephale's Medela Pestilentiae, 1665:
"They had not space enough (according to the vulgar saying) to swing a Cat in."
The nature of that citation makes it clear that the phrase was already in use prior to it being committed to paper. The 'cat o' nine tails' isn't recorded until 1695 though, in William Congreve's Love for Love:
"If you should give such language at sea, you'd have a cat-o'-nine-tails laid cross your shoulders."
If those dates are in fact the earliest uses then the 'cat o' nine tails' theory is wrong. The task for anyone who wants to claim that theory correct is to pre-date those citations. "
And QI said it wasn't the cat o'nine tails as well.
Bulge
When the time for the punishment arrived, the miscreant was tied, his back bared, and 'the cat was let out of the bag'.
Just helping.
"Jesus wept" is still used though
Sorry for what? I ask them.
This might be because I'm not 17 anymore, rather than it disappearing though.