Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Cat O' Nine Tails

A short nine-tailed whip kept by the bosun's mate to flog sailors. When not in use, the cat was kept in a baize bag, this is a possible origin for the term "cat out of the bag". The term "Not enough room to swing a cat" also derives from this.

Added: 2014-11-01 Last modified: 2014-11-01