Offended By "Cat" ?

[Fragony]

The two proverb/Idioms I think of regarding cats are:

1. Buy a cat in a sack
Meaning: You got conned. Might be from the middle ages where someone would sell you a cat, claiming it to be a piglet. "Can't open the sack you see, the squirming piglet might flee".

Hey we also have that one. I once made a thread about the themes of proverbs in different languages because of the many similarity's in themes, but it didn't really take of. It's fun how so many dutch and english proverbs and expressions are rooted in our naval traditions but more interesting are the universal themes in proverbs, persian one, he who comes with the wind will be swept away by it, now every language and culture has a version of that.

[Ramses II CP]

Err, you're missing a certain other word referring to cats which also refers to a female body part and is generally used to call someone a coward or wimp. Five letters, starts with p, etc.

[Martok]

Err, you're missing a certain other word referring to cats which also refers to a female body part and is generally used to call someone a coward or wimp. Five letters, starts with p, etc.

To be honest, I thought that was what LEN was referring to all along. Assuming it is, then I will say that I only rarely use the term to which you alluded -- particularly if it's intended as a reference to female anatomy. When I use it at all, it's usually when indicating someone is a wuss/coward/etc.

[LeftEyeNine]

Thanks for all worldwide input.

Although Martok is precise with what I wanted to know about, what other fellows tell about "cat"'s usage in their language helps from the opposite direction as well.

I've yet to see cat being a direct means of insult. Or am I a die-hard cats-can't-be-bad person ?

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

1. Die Katze im Sack kaufen - buy the cat in the sack - what Sigurd said
2. Die Katze aus dem Sack lassen - let the cat out of the sack - what Sigurd said
3. Ist die Katze aus dem Haus, tanzen die Mäuse auf den Tischen - If the cat left the house, the mice are dancing on the tables - if somebody "in chief" left, others will do what they like
4. Bei Nacht sind alle Katzen grau - By night all cats are grey - in certain circumstances, one can't make a proper distinction
5. Katzentisch - cat table - usually in a restaurant a sub par table, mostly near the toilet
6. Katzenwäsche - cat wash - instead of having a proper shower, one just washes axles and face
7. Kätzchen - kitten - seldomly an intimate name for an attractive woman, positive or ironically
8. Muschi - pu**y - name for the female sex organ, pet name for a cat (very seldom) or for a woman (extremely seldom)

I think there's absolutely nothing negative within the German language regarding cats.

[CountArach]

Err, you're missing a certain other word referring to cats which also refers to a female body part and is generally used to call someone a coward or wimp. Five letters, starts with p, etc.

I was going to post that, but then I thought better of it. yes, that is likely to have something to do with it.

[Myrddraal]

The first two suggested; catty and scaredy-cat are both pretty direct insults. I think you may be blinded by cat-love.

[Caius]

There is a saying that some girl/woman is a cat. It is a "mild-insult", but what you say is that that woman likes to be with men at the same time.

[Fragony]

There is a saying that some girl/woman is a cat. It is a "mild-insult", but what you say is that that woman likes to be with men at the same time.

Here we have 'kattig'. It has a different meaning though, een kattig meisje = a (can't translate this without getting warning points but it involves a female dog) of a girl, but playful not mean, think meow->pet->scratch>ouch!

edit, that particular word for the, well, well we have that as well. But in dutch language the odor aspect is covered sufficiently as well us dutchies being a nation that relies so heavily on the seas.

[Beefy187]

In Japan there is a saying, curiosity can kill all nine cats.

Cats seems to wonderaround so...