A vibrantly illustrated collection of cat-related proverbs and idioms collected from around the
world—by the New York Times bestselling author of Tiny But Mighty and Cats of the World
beloved by millions online as the Kitten Lady. There’s more than one way to get the job done
or as they say in Finland “There are many ways said Grandma while wiping the table with a
cat. . . .” In this charming gift-worthy collection renowned kitten rescuer humane educator
and author Hannah Shaw shares 60 feline-focused phrases gathered during her worldwide travels
as an animal advocate. Perfect for cat lovers language nerds and avid travelers Cat Got Your
Tongue? presents each saying in its native language along with an English translation a simple
explanation of its meaning and use and a delightful illustration by New Yorker cartoonist
Sophie Lucido Johnson. For example: • Portuguese : “Quem não tem cão caça com gato” or “One
who has no dog hunts with a cat” (we must make do with the resources we have). • Yiddish :
“Vern zol fun dir a blintshik un di kats zol dikh khapn ” or “May you turn into a blintz and
be snatched by a cat” (a curse expressing ill will). • Dutch : “De kat op het spek binden ” or
“tie the cat to the bacon” (to forbid something that’s very tempting like kids with a cookie
jar). Featuring proverbs from India France China Malaysia Türkiye Holland and many
more—in languages from Arabic to Spanish—this enchanting little book reveals the central role
that cats play in cultures everywhere whether to impart a wise piece of advice insult a rude
neighbor or as they say in Romania to “look like the cat at a calendar” (appear very
confused).
