Idioms Explained
Viewing comments for Chapter 12 "No room to swing a cat"Fanstorians explain the backstory of idioms
20 total reviews
Comment from Richard Montfort Cary
Thank you for the explanations.... I had the great honor of being an actor who got to portray Mark Twain for some twelve years in my own little one-man show And Now, Mark Twain. In my research for prepping for the role, I found his description of a boating cabin not large enough in which to swing a cat. I, of course, thought he had invented the vision, hilarious for us cat-lovers, knowing that all hell would break out if one even attempted such a maneuver. You have filled me in with a deeper appreciation of the image. Thank you.
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2021
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Thank you for the explanations.... I had the great honor of being an actor who got to portray Mark Twain for some twelve years in my own little one-man show And Now, Mark Twain. In my research for prepping for the role, I found his description of a boating cabin not large enough in which to swing a cat. I, of course, thought he had invented the vision, hilarious for us cat-lovers, knowing that all hell would break out if one even attempted such a maneuver. You have filled me in with a deeper appreciation of the image. Thank you.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2021
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Thank you very much.
Comment from Susan Newell
This is an interesting history of the term "no room to swing a cat." We also have "like a cat on a hot tin roof," meaning jumpy and indecisive, with no place to go.
You might want to add:
nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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This is an interesting history of the term "no room to swing a cat." We also have "like a cat on a hot tin roof," meaning jumpy and indecisive, with no place to go.
You might want to add:
nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs
Comment Written 21-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Interesting one .I have not heard of that .Long tailed cat and rocking chairs make it more interesting.Thank you for telling me that.
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You are welcome.
Comment from BethShelby
These are interesting and I think there are many more having to do with cats. They seem to be a favorite among those that use Idioms. I've heard that letting the cat out the bag came from when farmers use to sell pigs for roasting. They had a limited amour to piglets to sell but cats were more plentiful, as no one spayed them and they multiplied. The farmer would put a cat into bag making the buyer think he'd purchased a piglet. When he got home, he would find, to his dismay, he purchased a cat instead. The secret scheme was out in the open. This is the only explaination I've heard for this one. I enjoy finding out about swinging a cat although as kids, I'm ashamed to admit, we would swing a cat in a circle to get him dizzy. When we put him down, he would try to run and stumble everywhere. It was cruel but the cat wasn't really harmed.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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These are interesting and I think there are many more having to do with cats. They seem to be a favorite among those that use Idioms. I've heard that letting the cat out the bag came from when farmers use to sell pigs for roasting. They had a limited amour to piglets to sell but cats were more plentiful, as no one spayed them and they multiplied. The farmer would put a cat into bag making the buyer think he'd purchased a piglet. When he got home, he would find, to his dismay, he purchased a cat instead. The secret scheme was out in the open. This is the only explaination I've heard for this one. I enjoy finding out about swinging a cat although as kids, I'm ashamed to admit, we would swing a cat in a circle to get him dizzy. When we put him down, he would try to run and stumble everywhere. It was cruel but the cat wasn't really harmed.
Comment Written 20-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Thank you for telling me the history of 'letting the cat out of the bag'.My brothers and me are also guilty of the same swinging.Thanks for stopping by.
Comment from Kooky Clown
I am English and have often used the phrase there isn't room to swing a cat and some of the others as well, but I have never tried to find out what or where the phrases came from so thank you for enlightening me. I have learnt something new. Kooky
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I am English and have often used the phrase there isn't room to swing a cat and some of the others as well, but I have never tried to find out what or where the phrases came from so thank you for enlightening me. I have learnt something new. Kooky
Comment Written 20-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Thank you for dropping by .I think in US it is not used.Since British taught we Indians English it is familiar here.
Comment from Seshadri_Sreenivasan
What a delightfully penned piece. Thoroughly enjoyable. Frankly speaking, I had never come across the idiom about 'swinging the cat'!:):) Catchy indeed.! Wonder why it is not used in Bombay where the apartments fit the bill! Surprised to learn there are so many 'catty' idioms. But why cat? Why not other animals? I think you should have a go at them. Great to read something with a smile on my face first thing in the morning. Have a great week end!
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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What a delightfully penned piece. Thoroughly enjoyable. Frankly speaking, I had never come across the idiom about 'swinging the cat'!:):) Catchy indeed.! Wonder why it is not used in Bombay where the apartments fit the bill! Surprised to learn there are so many 'catty' idioms. But why cat? Why not other animals? I think you should have a go at them. Great to read something with a smile on my face first thing in the morning. Have a great week end!
Comment Written 19-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Yeah rooms in modern cities deserve that expression.The houses where we used to grow up were so spacious compared to the matchboxes now. Thanks again for encouraging me .
Comment from prettybluebirds
There are a lot more cat sayings such as: nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs for instance. I'm a cat person myself and am owned by six of them and one dog. They are unique animals and each has its own personality. I really enjoyed reading your short analogy on cats.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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There are a lot more cat sayings such as: nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs for instance. I'm a cat person myself and am owned by six of them and one dog. They are unique animals and each has its own personality. I really enjoyed reading your short analogy on cats.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I am also a die hard fan of cats. I can spend hours admiring their style!
Thank you for dropping by
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
I'm delighted to learn it isn't a kitty cat they are talking about in the phrase I heard a lot as a child but now days people rarely use this one. Language is getting a little dull, maybe. You did a really good job finding cat expressions. Carol Clark 2 did a good job explaining the phrase "All Stoved up". I enjoy you seekers of phrases.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I'm delighted to learn it isn't a kitty cat they are talking about in the phrase I heard a lot as a child but now days people rarely use this one. Language is getting a little dull, maybe. You did a really good job finding cat expressions. Carol Clark 2 did a good job explaining the phrase "All Stoved up". I enjoy you seekers of phrases.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I know. I was also relieved when I found the origin of this expression..Thank you for reviewing.
Comment from Aussie
It is a common saying in my country. Generally when we are squashed into a small space eg lots of folks trying to get in a too-small car. There is one that you may appreciate. "Flat out like a lizard drinking" referring to a person being asked "how was your day?" Flat out ( working too hard.) Fascinating isn't it? K xx
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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It is a common saying in my country. Generally when we are squashed into a small space eg lots of folks trying to get in a too-small car. There is one that you may appreciate. "Flat out like a lizard drinking" referring to a person being asked "how was your day?" Flat out ( working too hard.) Fascinating isn't it? K xx
Comment Written 19-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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True fascinating.I think only in US this is not used.
Thank you for stopping by.I liked the 'lizard ' idiom too.
Comment from Cindy Warren
I might use that whip on anybody who dares swinging my fluffy little buddy! LOL It's interesting to know where that came from, tho I hope nowadays nobody is swinging either.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I might use that whip on anybody who dares swinging my fluffy little buddy! LOL It's interesting to know where that came from, tho I hope nowadays nobody is swinging either.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I know. I was so relieved to read that 'cat' was a whip!.Thank you very much for stopping by.
Comment from SimianSavant
Some cats like to climb onto fans. This is fairly space efficient, and more of a slinging motion than a swinging one. As cat videos go, this one is the most famous.
It was very interesting to read about the history. Question is, where did the cat-of-nine-tails get its name from? Did they previously throw cats at the backs of prisoners to punish them, before they invented the whip?
Thank you for the informative read.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Some cats like to climb onto fans. This is fairly space efficient, and more of a slinging motion than a swinging one. As cat videos go, this one is the most famous.
It was very interesting to read about the history. Question is, where did the cat-of-nine-tails get its name from? Did they previously throw cats at the backs of prisoners to punish them, before they invented the whip?
Thank you for the informative read.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I too wondered about that ! may be because cats are supposed to have nine lives.Thank you very much for stopping by.
