Cat’s paw
In nautical terms, a cat’s paw is the pattern of ripples on the water’s surface caused by a light breeze. It is also a knot used in sailing to connect a rope to an object.
For carpenters, it is a tool used to extract nails.
For people wishing to use others for nefarious means, a cat’s paw is a dupe, a mug, a fool. The latter meaning derives from the tale of the monkey and the cat.
In the 17th century Jean de la Fontaine wrote many fables, including ‘Le singe et le chat’. The monkey in the tale persuades his friend the cat to retrieve roasting chestnuts from the embers of a fire. The monkey promises to share the spoils with the cat. As the cat pulls out the nuts, burning his paw in the process, the monkey quickly eats them. Their exploits are disturbed by the maid and so the cat gets nothing for his pains, other than sore paws.
My cat's paws are almost my favorite part of them, especially Poppy's, my solid black domestic long hair. Her little toe feathers are part of her charm, even as they conceal the little sharp razors hidden inside.
ReplyDeleteCats' paws are so beautiful, aren't they?
DeleteI had no idea cat's paws were called all those other things.
ReplyDeleteIt's not something you want to be called.
DeleteFascinating, thanks. I knew some of those usages but the story is completely new to me.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at a the underneath of a cat's paw, it looks like a teddy bear (says my cat-loving daughter) - I can see what she means. xx
Your daughter's right :-) x x x
ReplyDeleteHerschel knows the importance of clean feet. I know about the cat's paw tool, my husband has one and I even had use for it. But not the nautical term, that was fun to learn.
ReplyDeleteI like watching cats groom themselves - so thorough, so supple.
DeleteCats' paws are the cutest, as long as they keep their sharp claws in check :-) xxx
ReplyDeleteQuite right! Most of the time they do . x x x
ReplyDelete