Etymology Journal ยท C
Cat got your tongue?
Meaning
- This is asked when someone is unusually quiet or refuses to speak. It is meant to prompt the person to participate in the conversation.
Teasing, inquisitive
Used in a sentence
- You've been sitting there staring at the floor for twenty minutes. What, cat got your tongue?
- I asked you who broke the vase. Cat got your tongue?
- Why are you so quiet today? Cat got your tongue?
The backstory
There are many theories, ranging from an ancient practice of cutting out the tongues of liars to the threat of a cat-o-nine-tails whip. However, most historians consider these dark myths, as the term is likely just a harmless nursery-style taunt.
Heard in
Nationwide
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