Whiteisms
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Etymology Journal ยท L

Let the cat out of the bag

Meaning

To accidentally reveal a secret. It usually implies that the information was supposed to remain hidden until a specific time.

Playful, gossipy

Used in a sentence

  • We wanted to surprise her, but you let the cat out of the bag.
  • Try not to let the cat out of the bag before the party starts.
  • I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the vacation.

The backstory

The most common theory involves a market scam where a piglet in a bag was swapped for a cat. While the cat-in-the-bag story is fun, many historians believe it might just be a nautical reference to the cat-o-nine-tails whip.

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