Help make Alexa smarter on Alexa Answers. Sign in with Amazon

Sign in with Amazon

Animals

Where does the saying cat got your tongue come from?

Although many believe the “cat” in question is of the feline variety, it’s actually the cat o’ nine tails, a whip commonly used to flog sailors who misbehaved. On ships, sailors entrusted with a secret would be threatened with “the cat” for telling; thus, the saying 'has the cat got your tongue?'

{{ relativeTimeResolver(1589560568333) }}

LIVE

Points

186

Rating

0

Similar Questions

Sign in to view all similar questions

What's the origin of cat got your tongue?

Animals • 2 Answers

Where did the saying skin a cat come from?

Animals • 2 Answers

Where does the saying it's raining cats and dogs come from?

Animals • 3 Answers

Where does the saying it's raining like cats and dogs come from?

Animals • 1 Answer

Where did the saying raining cats and dogs come from?

Animals • 3 Answers

Join Alexa Answers

Help make Alexa smarter and share your knowledge with the world