Roots
The animal in us
Deepti

The lion’s share in the beauty of a language belongs to its figurative expressions. In one day, you have a dog’s chance (slim chance) of not using any figurative phrases. It may seem that language grows at a snail’s pace but if one is sensitive, one can often trace figurative expressions growing before one’s eyes. The expressions that follow are linked with the animal world.

The figurative expression, a mare’s nest owes its origin to the fact that a mare doesn’t have a nest. This reality is exploited by this expression that refers to a confused mess or a hoax and an illusory discovery. In the past, finding a mare’s nest meant accomplishing the impossible.

Shy, amorous glances that convey an impression of foolishness are labeled ‘sheep’s eyes’, perhaps due to the docile appearance of sheep. So, if you have a soft corner for anybody be careful about ‘making sheep’s eyes’.

Etymologists have been working on the roots of language for ‘donkey’s years’ but cannot explain the origin of this expression. It is clear that ‘donkey’s years’ refers to a very long period of time, but the reason behind this figurative use is not known. Often, it is suggested in jest that perhaps the expression cropped up because of the abnormal length of the (y)ears of the donkey.

After such uncertainty in etymology, an expression like ‘cat’s paw’ is a respite with its clear origin. This expression comes from the fable of a monkey and a cat. The monkey wanted to eat the chestnuts roasting in a fire but was afraid of getting burnt. So, the monkey persuaded a cat to pull out the chestnuts. The cat agreed, took out the chestnuts but could not eat them because of her burnt paws. The monkey cleverly gobbled up all the nuts and the cat licked her burnt paws. From this fable emerged the figurative use of ‘cat’s paw’ for any person used as a tool by someone. Later, the knot used to connect two things also came to be known as the cat’s paw, due to its resemblance to a paw.