Comment from Liz O'Neill

Excellent

What a funny expression now that we look at it People use it often: "Apparently the debate on cat-skinning boiled down" ...unrelated to the subject in discussion, but my ADD caught it. This puzzles the reader to wonder why this idiom ever came to be used so automatically. More to research. bwaaa.

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2024

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reply by the author on 04-Jun-2024

Liz--Sorry for the delay. I've been inactive on he site for two years--happened to pop in and saw your review. Thrilled to get a random read. I appreciate your engagement! Cheers. LIZ

reply by Liz O'Neill on 04-Jun-2024

I like to go back and find random post that people have written so that's probably how I found yours. I love idioms My friend who has most recently deceased and I used to love to look up idioms and the origin of them.

reply by the author on 05-Jun-2024

Cool! Someone here who used to play this sort of "game" dubbed it "Portfolio Roulette."

Comment from Monica Chaddick

Excellent

What a gruesome writing - lol. Very educational, however. I never knew why one would WANT to skin a cat to begin with. Some of these sayings are just disturbing.

 Comment Written 20-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021

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!

Check out the macabre nursery rhyme Ring Around the Rosie

https://medium.com/weird-history/ring-around-the-rosie-a-song-for-the-plague-4647a45b01b1

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This addition to the idiom collection, Gruesome Proverb, revolves around the idea of whether skinning a cat is better when it's dead or alive. I really don't read much here that indicates that anyone cares about how the cat feels. : )

 Comment Written 19-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 19-Nov-2021

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 you say, the matter-of-fact references show no concern for the poor creatures.

Comment from Sanku

Excellent

It is quite gruesome ,as you rightly said . It is strange how languages change and develop. I used to wonder about some very old nursery rhymes -like Jack and Jill and Rock by Baby- In both the children ends up falling -what an imagery to sing for the children!

 Comment Written 19-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 19-Nov-2021

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!

A macabre nursery rhyme is Ring Around the Rosie

https://medium.com/weird-history/ring-around-the-rosie-a-song-for-the-plague-4647a45b01b1

Comment from Jumbo J

Excellent

Hi Liz,
well this little essay of many(tails) was not a very nice thought... yet the research and accreditations were up to scratch.

And yes, you may have even thrown a cat in among the pigeons with this hair raising fur flinging skinfest.
My wife, Jade and I have had discussions on where all these saying derived from, and we try hard not to keep them going... as I don't want to skin a cat, no matter how many ways I could think to perform that act. I don't want to kill two birds with one stone... and I'm not going to sweat like a pig, as I hate the thought of being boiled.

So yes, I say stop these sayings in their tracks.

But nevertheless, it is a very well written piece!

With our thoughts we create...
our love of nature.

Kind regards,
James.

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2021

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 Ric Myworld

Excellent

After my three-day stint in the hospital, I'm doing my best to catch up on my reading and reviews this morning. Hoping to get out of here today. I apologize for the quickie cookie-cutter review. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2021

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 Robert Zimmerman

Excellent

Hello Liz.

Well I don't think I have much to add to this because I've never tried to do any of those things to cats or dogs. In fact, we have rescued a bunch of him in the last 49 years.

Robert

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021

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.

reply by Robert Zimmerman on 17-Nov-2021

To me and idiomatic expression is one that uses non traditional words to express and opinion or thought, whereas a proverb is a statement of wisdom and specific meaning.

reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021

Thanks. Well put. That's summarizes what I learned in researching the difference.

I found it referred to as a proverb and a "phrase."

1) There's more than one way to skin a cat is a proverb, which is a short, common saying or phrase that particularly gives advice or shares a universal truth. ...

reply by Robert Zimmerman on 18-Nov-2021

You're welcome.

Comment from aryr

Excellent

Amazing, Elizabeth, totally amazing. I do agree with you that it is more of a proverb than an idiom. It was definitely educational and interesting. Very well done and greatly enjoyed.

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021

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.

reply by aryr on 18-Nov-2021

You are most welcome, Elizabeth.

Comment from judiverse

Excellent

Interesting information on the origin and meaning of more than one way to skin a cat. I may have to explore the various ways, because I'm exasperated with my cat Heather who has so far eluded our efforts to take her to the vet for her shots. i can't think of cat fur being used for clothing. Maybe a muff. Great work with your presentation. judi

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021

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.

reply by judiverse on 18-Nov-2021

I usually think of proverbs as being old. judi

reply by the author on 18-Nov-2021

This is what I found: There's more than one way to skin a cat is a proverb, which is a short, common saying or phrase that particularly gives advice or shares a universal truth. ...

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Thanks for explaining this rather awful expression - I like your "gruesome." Human cruelty is horrible. But I'll prefer to imagine the catfish expression even if it's wrong. That Mark Twain used it makes it all the more folksy.

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Nov-2021

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.