English with Jo

Cat got your tongue?

Example: After she finished the story, I kept silent. "What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" she asked.

Did you know...?   There are a few theories about where this expression came from.  One theory is that it came from an ancient punishment of cutting out the tongues of liars and feeding them to cats!   Another theory is that it came from the Middle Ages when witches were greatly feared and often put to death. It was believed that if you saw a witch, her cat would somehow "steal" or control your tongue so you couldn't report the sighting.