Idioms Explained
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "Gruesome Proverb!"Fanstorians explain the backstory of idioms
22 total reviews
Comment from Spitfire
Wow! You did a lot of research on this. I like to think the proverb originated as catfish. And I'm sure they were dead. No way could you skin a real cat alive unless the animal were in a coma.
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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Wow! You did a lot of research on this. I like to think the proverb originated as catfish. And I'm sure they were dead. No way could you skin a real cat alive unless the animal were in a coma.
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
My cats rather like their fur. Although, their shedding makes me want to at least shave them. LOL Thank you for sharing the information on the proverb. Just so you know when I lived on a farm I skinned my chickens, reason, before I did, I would pluck their feathers. The problem, you do it outside and use a large pot of boiling water and dump the dead chicken in it, repeatedly until all the feathers are gone. One of my toddlers at the time fell into the pot. Never plucked a chicken again. Too dangerous.
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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My cats rather like their fur. Although, their shedding makes me want to at least shave them. LOL Thank you for sharing the information on the proverb. Just so you know when I lived on a farm I skinned my chickens, reason, before I did, I would pluck their feathers. The problem, you do it outside and use a large pot of boiling water and dump the dead chicken in it, repeatedly until all the feathers are gone. One of my toddlers at the time fell into the pot. Never plucked a chicken again. Too dangerous.
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary. POST YOUR STORY!
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
The mere thought of anyone skinning a cat alive, gives me the shudders! Yet this saying has been around for centuries! Well done in tracking down all this info on it, too. I think Helen has started something very educational with this book. Well done for yours! :)) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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The mere thought of anyone skinning a cat alive, gives me the shudders! Yet this saying has been around for centuries! Well done in tracking down all this info on it, too. I think Helen has started something very educational with this book. Well done for yours! :)) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary.
Comment from Nicholas Guay
Jesus, what a morbid saying. Funny how things that were common place when there was less intelligence around became obsolete when people started giving them some thought. It makes me wonder if there's anything we do or say today that hindsight in 200 years might be seen as morbid. I could see the people of the future thinking of paper as incredibly stupid considering the advancements of digital technology and the destruction of the planet in the process.
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2021
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Jesus, what a morbid saying. Funny how things that were common place when there was less intelligence around became obsolete when people started giving them some thought. It makes me wonder if there's anything we do or say today that hindsight in 200 years might be seen as morbid. I could see the people of the future thinking of paper as incredibly stupid considering the advancements of digital technology and the destruction of the planet in the process.
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2021
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Nice to see you, Nicholas!
I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned!
Comment from Shirley McLain
I can't stand the thought of cats being skinned alive. Gruesome picture to have in one's mind. Being from Oklahoma all I've ever heard is "there are many different ways to do the same thing. You did a great job. Have a wonderful day. Shirley
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I can't stand the thought of cats being skinned alive. Gruesome picture to have in one's mind. Being from Oklahoma all I've ever heard is "there are many different ways to do the same thing. You did a great job. Have a wonderful day. Shirley
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary.
Comment from BethShelby
You definitely went the gruesome route with this proverb. I always thought skinning a cat was an arobic exercise. When I was a kid other kids would ask if you knew how to skin a cat. It means hanging by your arms and rotating your body up and pulling it between your arms and flipping over. I used to be quite good a skinning the cat. It is a gymnastic excersise now. It never occured that it might have anything to so with a real cat.
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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You definitely went the gruesome route with this proverb. I always thought skinning a cat was an arobic exercise. When I was a kid other kids would ask if you knew how to skin a cat. It means hanging by your arms and rotating your body up and pulling it between your arms and flipping over. I used to be quite good a skinning the cat. It is a gymnastic excersise now. It never occured that it might have anything to so with a real cat.
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary. Yes, there is mention of the aerobic exercise--obviously, of recent origin.
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Not too recently. I was skinning the cat over fifty years ago.
Comment from Judy Lawless
You know, I've heard this expression many times and just took it to mean there's more than one way to get something done. I'd never considered where it originated. You have indeed found something gruesome about it. Thanks for sharing, Liz.
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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You know, I've heard this expression many times and just took it to mean there's more than one way to get something done. I'd never considered where it originated. You have indeed found something gruesome about it. Thanks for sharing, Liz.
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary.
Comment from robyn corum
Liz,
It happens to be 7:07 am at present. This is quite early to begin the day with such gruesomeness and visual images. Thank you so much. Blech!
Cat coats? Really? Were there no better skins available? That is a little shocking. Ooooonnnn the other hand, as I type, it comes to me that there could be a PROFUSION of those skins in certain situations. Hmmm... Maybe it's not so foolish in some places and at some times.
But still -- YUCK!
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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Liz,
It happens to be 7:07 am at present. This is quite early to begin the day with such gruesomeness and visual images. Thank you so much. Blech!
Cat coats? Really? Were there no better skins available? That is a little shocking. Ooooonnnn the other hand, as I type, it comes to me that there could be a PROFUSION of those skins in certain situations. Hmmm... Maybe it's not so foolish in some places and at some times.
But still -- YUCK!
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary.
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Hey, hey! This sounds intriguing to the extreme. For those of us who just cant read all those reviews and replies -- why make another post to sum it all up? I for one would be interested!!
Oh, and I haven't had a chance to check back in on your daughter. How is she doing?
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She still can't taste or smell--meantime, in the event you haven't by now read my latest post, I caught corona at the tail end of her contagious period, despite our having avoided contact throughout.
Comment from Raffaelina Lowcock
Kudos to your persistent investigation. Well done! It boggles the mind to realize the monstrousness of the actions described. Just imagine! Who does things like that?
Ralf
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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Kudos to your persistent investigation. Well done! It boggles the mind to realize the monstrousness of the actions described. Just imagine! Who does things like that?
Ralf
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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Thankssssss, Ralf!
I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary.
Comment from Begin Again
I wonder if someone might want to use "YaYa" to practice skinning the cat? Just joking, of course. I think!!! What a yucky thought and you added so much research. My stomach turns.
Always, Carol
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I wonder if someone might want to use "YaYa" to practice skinning the cat? Just joking, of course. I think!!! What a yucky thought and you added so much research. My stomach turns.
Always, Carol
Comment Written 17-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021
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I'd set out to assure people that it pertained to catfish. Had I known that the catfish reference came after the fact, I'd never had looked up the origin. I was blindsided by what I learned! As to proverb vs idiom, I'm still unclear--references vary.
Definitely practice on YAYA.