The Top 5 Italian Idioms Containing the Word Cat

Learning the phrases and idioms in different languages is interesting. There are so many different phrases and idioms. When translated, many of the make sense. However, some of them can be funny. An example of on that makes sense is the Spanish, "De tal palo, tal astilla." This translates to "From such a stick, a splinter." It means the same thing as "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Italy has quite a few idioms that contain the word "cat." They can both make sense and be funny at the same time.

I Have Other Cats to Skin

When an Italian says, "ho altre gatte da pelare,' he doesn't really have other cats to skin. Instead, he has other things to do. It is like the English idiom, "I have other fish to fry."

Fine Words Don't Feed Cats

Italians don't try to feed cats with words. They also don't think that others are so dumb that they will try to feed cats with words. They are not being condescending when they say, "belle parole non pascono i gatti." Of course, none of this has to do with alphabet soup. Those letters, and perhaps words, might feed cats. However, those are actually noodles, not just words. The idiom means "words don't get the job done." The English idiom is, "fine words butter no parsnips."

The Hurried Cat Produces Blind Kittens

It is not known if Italians from earlier centuries thought that a cat hurried in some way '" either during reproduction or birth '" thought that the female cat would produce blind kittens. If they did, the idiom, "a gatta frettolosa fece i gattini ciechi" might make more sense. However, by now, they know that just because a female cat may be hurried, it doesn't mean the kittens will be blind. The English idiom is "haste makes waste."

All Cats Look Gray in the Dark

When an Italian says, "Al buio ogni gatta ¨ morella," he is not literally saying that all cats that are in the dark will look gray, though it is a possibility. Instead, he is saying that everything looks the same when it is dark. It might be because it is difficult to find two things in the dark. It may also mean not to judge. It is difficult to find an equivalent English idiom, though Shel Silverstein's quote "we all look the same when we turn off the light," could probably be used.

The Daughter of the Cat Eats Mice

If a female cat eats mice, then obviously this phrase is true. However, when an Italians says, "figghia di gatta mancia surc," he does not literally mean that the cat eats mice. The English idiom is "like father, like son," or if the female version is wanted, "like mothers, like daughter."

Source:

Strange animal facts from Italy : animals in Italy and Italian superstitions.. (n.d.). Italian Culture : if you love the magic of Italy, you'll love this! . Retrieved May 6, 2011, from http://www.explore-italian-culture.com/strange-animal-facts.html