You probably knew this expression, to let the cat out of the bag:
It is used when someone tells something that was supposed to be secret. No one can explain how the cat got into the bag. But there is an old story about it.
Long ago tradesmen sold things in large cloth bags. One day a woman asked for a pig. The tradesman held up a cloth bag with something moving inside it. He said it was a live pig. The woman asked to see it. When the dishonest tradesman opened the bag, out jumped a cat – not a pig. The tradesman’s secret was out. He was trying to trick her. And now everybody knew it.
We have a secret and this has some kind of relation with the definition given above. But we’re not letting the cat out of the bag just yet. Keeping you waiting ;-)
Have a great Caturday!
En tout cas toi, tu as une petite tête craquante de sac à malices!
***purring loudly***
Beautiful picture!
Thank you =^.^=
Purrs
I love that photo. :-)
Thank you sweetie!
Purrs
Oh Texas, tell Uz nows, I hate secrets..MOL I loves that photie and you got a great tootsie there. xx0000xx
No, you’ll have to wait MOL
Thanks :-)
Purrs
BOL…but honestly, that’s a really good picture!!! can’t wait, please tell!!!
Thanks but… I cannot tell.
So the secret is in a bag. Or is related to a bag. That is a great picture. Kitties love bags and boxes. Can’t wait to hear the secret. Take care.
Or the definition given…
Thanks for your visit and take care too!
Dear Texas, thanks for the teaching and the link to this interesting page. This picture of you is very beautiful :-) Hugs.
Thank you!
Purrs
I didn’t know this expresson (as english is the 2nd language to us, too) and was very interested in reading the story, Thanks Texas!
Hmmm….very curious about your secret! Can’t wait to hear!
Have a lovely weekend! :)
Thank you, you too!
Purrs
great picture!
Thanks!
Squeeeeeee! A SECRET! And you can whisper it in my ear….promise, paws to heart, not to tell!
You know it already sweetie!
Cool! I was hoping we could start build hype about….will do it on post too
The other side of the equation has a saying too – “Don’t buy a pig iin a poke”
A poke is a sack.
It warns about getting into something without knowing the details.
And since you won’t know the details today…
;-)
:D Never met a cat that wants to come out the bad, actually. They all seem to want to go in though. :)
It’s always so interesting to find out the origins of sayings. I love it!
It’s hard to get out of the bag, indeed.
Oh, certainly not, Texas ! It’s such a good place to hide !
Purrs.
Exactly!
Purrs
Merci pour l’explication. Je sens que mes élèves vont prochainement en entendre parler en cours :-)
eheheh
Ronrons
We’re guessing hard over here – wonder if we know what it is! MOL!!
Hmmm wonder what you’re guessing…
what fun!! Thanks for that bit of trivia, I never knew that!
Bags are endless sources of fun ;-)
We love cats in bags and surprises!
Me too! Especially when there’s a surprise in my bad ;-)
Ooh, Texas, you’re such a tease! We can’t wait to hear the secret!
Love, Sundae
***teasing some more***
Purrs
Texas! You’ll have to come out sometime!! mol
Really?
I can’t wait to find out what’s up!
BTW, I would think someone would MUCH rather have a cat than some dumb pig.
I agree MOL
Oh, Texas, tes yeux me disent qu’avec toi dedans, sac devient sac à malices, glop.
Ronrons.
ihihih
Ronrons
Since it’s my birthday today, can’t you tell just me?!!
Happy Purrthday Dear Dawn!
I’m sending you lots of purrs but I can’t tell you my secret.
What, what, what!!?? PLEASE tell us!! We won’t tell anyone!
I cannot, I promised!
Purrs
No fair! We hate waiting! MOL
You are such a tease! You know I am nibby so I will be back!
I didn’t know the history behind that expression but definitely knew what it meant! Can’t wait to find out what you’ve been keeping in that bag!
Thanks for adding your caption to this weekend’s SILLY SATURDAY PHOTO CAPTION CONTEST and for being one of our newest followers!
Bags are SO MUCH fun!
Your pal, Pip
That’s ok, when the cat in the bag is SO cute!
Awww , soooo cute !
Hey Texas, Jet here. Hi Miss Carine.
Thanks for sharing the story behind the phrase… and… we LOVE surprises. I do not have as much patience as Mom, however, I wonder if it’s what I think it is… hmmmmmmm….
I guess it is what I think you think it is MOL
Purrs and happy Sunday!
My email is down, so, I’m not sure where the secret is at the moment. :(
bon dimanche,
Quelle magnifique photo.
ronrons et bisous
Laurence et les minettes
Merci =^.^=
Bon dimanche (bonne soirée !)
Ronrons
I’m glad you didn’t tell yet, because I cannot keep a secret!
Good to know ;-)
Purrs
We know! You’re getting a pig so you have unlimited ham!
Oooooh! That would be soooooooo great!!
But no :-/
Purrs
Surprises and secrets can be SO much fun!!!!!
We’re going to guess that maybe there’s going to be another KITTY!!!
: ) Katie & Glogirly
Hmmm my human would probably love it but… the human’s husband is waving their lease in her face with 3 kitties written on it and honestly, I’d love a little rest just for now. And of course, Milou is hissing at the idea.
The human just sighed. MOL!
Purrs
Oh come on…. tell us! Puleezeeeeee!!!!
No I won’t =^.^=
Soon…
Purrs
But i hate having to wait!!!!!!!! Purlease *pleading eyes* will you just tell me, I will keep it a secret honest!!
Sorry, I cannot furriend :-/
Purrs
*tries puppy eyes*
No, I can’t (Come on furriend, we kitties INVENTED the imploring eyes) ;-)
Purrs
*Sad eyes*
Basil, we invented the sad eyes too ;-)
But surely puppy beats cat eyes??
Duh. NO WAY!
Pfft I think you are biased!!!
No I am a kitty, hence always right ;-)
Except when you are wrong!! BOL :0P
Pfft.
PFFFFFFFT!!