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Parading Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

What is the origin of 'let the cat out of the bag'?



Hello~ I'm an EFL learner.

I wonder what's the origin of 'let the cat out of the bag'.

I know what that means, which means spill the secrets.

what I want to know is the origin. My English teacher said it's from a tale for children.

please tell me the story~Emotion: coffee
  

Top answer

It is probably apocryphal, but the usual explanation is that in the olden days, suckling piglets sold at market fairs were kept conveniently in rough bags. Unscrupulous pigsellers would occasionally slip a cat into one instead of the purported piglet, and the customer would not discover this until he opened the bag back at his home. Caveat emptor.

— Mister Micawber

  • It is probably apocryphal, but the usual explanation is that in the olden days, suckling piglets sold at market fairs were kept conveniently in rough bags.
  • Unscrupulous pigsellers would occasionally slip a cat into one instead of the purported piglet, and the customer would not discover this until he opened the bag back at his home.
  • Caveat emptor.
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2 Answers
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It is probably apocryphal, but the usual explanation is that in the olden days, suckling piglets sold at market fairs were kept conveniently in rough bags. Unscrupulous pigsellers would occasionally slip a cat into one instead of the purported piglet, and the customer would not discover this until he opened the bag back at his home. Caveat emptor.
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Thankyou~ Mister Micawber

You answered to my questions even the both.

your story telling was perfect. I can really understand it now.[8]
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