Cat got your tongue?

Rob Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Rob, and joining me is Feifei.

Feifei Hello. (sneezes)

Rob Bless you!

Feifei (sneezes)

Rob Are you ok? Have you got a cold?

Feifei No, not a cold. Something’s making me sneeze. Errr… Rob, is that a cat on your lap?!

Rob Yes. Meet Tiddles. I decided to bring him to the office because he gets lonely at home on his own… don’t you Tiddley-widdly? It’s a good idea, don’t you think? Feifei? You’ve gone all quiet - you’ve usually got something to say. Feifei?

Feifei (sneezes)

Rob Can you speak? Cat got your tongue?

Feifei No! Your cat has not got my tongue - or anything else - I’m allergic to cats.

Rob Oh dear Feifei - but saying ‘cat got your tongue?’ means ‘you’re very quiet’ or ‘you’ve got nothing to say’.

Feifei Really?! Well let’s hear some examples of this phrase…

Examples What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? I did say we’d use up all our money on the car!

A: Has the cat got your tongue? You usually go on about how amazing your boyfriend is. B: We split up.

Feifei So ‘cat got your tongue?’ is an informal question you might say to someone who isn’t saying much. [sneezes]

Rob Oh I get it now. You weren’t saying much because you were too busy sneezing!

Feifei No Rob. I was angry because you know I am allergic to cats - don’t you remember me saying that I can’t be in the same room as one? Rob? Rob! What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue now?

Rob It appears Tiddles needed the toilet… but it’s too late now. I’m all wet!

Feifei Oh Rob. You stink! I’m off. Bye.