A Cat May Look On A King: Proverb of Oldby Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger 15 Jul 2006 08:02 AM
The idea of a "cat looking at a king" is expressed when said by Alice in Lewis Carroll's 1865 book, Alice in Wonderland." The first written reference to this very old proverb appears as far back as 1546 in John Heyward's book, "Proverbs." It is a shining example of how proverbs can be used to convey very complex ideas in a few simple words. In the cat world, it's a moot point as to which feline is humble and which is superior. The elliptical all seeing cat's-eye discriminates in its own particular way and no one can really say how cats delineate royalty and servitude in their own eyes. Perhaps it has to do with capitulation of territory or covert dealings in the dead of night behind the litter box. In the case of cats and their two legged companions (no one can ever really own a cat), there is little question that it is the feline who reigns supreme. This is a trade secret among lovers of language however, for how would it look for word scholars to prance around their language towers espousing: "The second cousin twice removed (but still welcome in the family) looked upon the king aka the cat!" Long live the wonders of language? Do YOU know any other cat proverbs? Please share. Related Articles: "Cat Got Your Tongue? Nasty Thought." http://blogs.families.com/admin/b2browse.php?blog=28&p=11332 Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman  Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York. Relevantpets tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags cat proverb, cat expression, cat proverbs, cats, felines Discuss this article
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This idiomatic expression is a bit more cryptic than others of its ilk, and although the exact origin is unknown, its significance is very specific. Down through the ages it has come to mean that humble people are entitled to express their opinions about supposedly "superior" people. Stretched a bit further, it also implies that they also have the right to laugh at and make fun of them. They are not required to purr or meow, however, as those are considered optional and extraneous manifestations of behavior. 
