Animal Proverbs, Cliches, Quotes, and More
While doing my research on the cat, I came across various proverbs; cliches, quotes, and various sayings that I thought may be of interest. Although this relates more to the domestic cat, have a look, and see what you think.
Animal proverbs
When the cat's away, the mice will play. Those in charge do not see what their "underlings" do in their absence; the powerful know not what goes on behind their backs. Act when the opportunity presents itself. Circa 1300s (French -- ou chat na rat regne -- where there is no cat, the rat is king)
All cats appear grey in the dark. Darkness obscures distinguishing visual features, so that one may be easily mistaken / fooled. Under certain conditions, we all appear the same. Circa 1549 (J.Heywood, Dialogue of Proverbs)
Curiosity killed the cat. Too much curiosity can cause one to abandon caution and encounter unseen danger. Circa 1900s
Cliches
To rain cats and dogs * refers to a heavy downpour of rain (1700s) * origins of phrase unknown. Under unusual conditions, it has "rained frogs" -- frogs lifted into the air by tornado-like action, which subsequently fall to the earth.
As brave as a lion describes great bravery and courage refers to lions having few predators, thus "unafraid"
Cat got your tongue? Said to one (esp. a child) who gives no reply to a question or command (1800s) might refer to cats' liking to be near the face in order to feel breath being exhaled
Look what the cat dragged in describes the rough appearance of one coming in from heavy drinking and/or fighting (1800s) refers to some cats' practice of bringing half-eaten carcasses to their owners
Famous Quotes "Let Hercules himself do what he may. The cat will mew and the dog will have his day." William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Hamlet
"You may as well say, that's a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion." William Shakespeare (1564-1616) King Henry V
"The lion is not so fierce as painted." Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) Of Preferment
"She watches him as a cat would watch a mouse." Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Polite Conversation
Cat Weather Lore A sneezing cat means rain on the way, and three sneezes in a row portends a cold for the cat's owner! A cat running wildly about, darting here and there and clawing everything in sight means wind or a storm on the way; when the cat quietens down, the storm will soon blow itself out. Cats washing over their ears have long been held to foretell rain; the old rhyme goes 'When Kitty washes behind her ears, we'll soon be tasting heaven's tears'.
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