Do you know the word "cat got your tongue"? It's being said when someone are unable to talk or will not talk. Have you ever wondered where this idiom comes from?
As usual, I did my homework and I found some interesting facts behind it. It appears that during the middle ages, when witches were feared, the witch's cat were doing all the dirty works. It was back then where the witch hunts became popular, when those who marked as witches are ment to be dead. It was believed that if you saw a witch, his/her cat will steal your tongue or otherwise control it to prevent you from spilling the secrets. Interesting, eh?
From the references that I have found, there are also some interesting story behind why the cats are said to have 9 lives, why there's a word scaredey cat. Have a look by your self :)
http://www.penmarric.ns.ca/cattails/prose.htm
http://www.trussel.com/jap/cats.htm
http://www.word-detective.com/110598.html
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