Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, August 30, 2026
The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' likely originates from the 'cat o' nine tails,' a whip used for punishment on naval ships. This whip was kept in a bag, and taking it out signaled that punishment was imminent.
“On naval ships, a cat o' nine tails was a type of whip with nine knotted cords used as a form of punishment for sailors.”
“The cat was kept in a bag, and when it was taken out, it meant that punishment was imminent.”
“Revealing the cat o' nine tails, or letting the cat out of the bag, was a dramatic moment, signaling that somebody was going to get whipped.”