Word: whip the cat Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Originally from reference to a prank played on country bumpkins, in which they were encouraged to show their strength by whipping a cat that was harnessed to a load that was too heavy for it. This led to the sense of attempting to get more than can be provided, and by extension, to practice extreme parsimony. From there, it possibly evolved to the other senses, which tend to reflect the connotations of poverty and/or uselessness. 1. To attempt to get work or money from someone who is too weak or poor to provide it. Labels: idiomatic Example: There was a terrible "whipping of the cat, " as it is called, on the day the notes became due. This whipping the cat is nothing more than a parcel of traders puffing at one another's heels . . . to borrow money. Example: […] seeing that the Committee has already practically defeated the principle that any new business shall have any special exemption under this Bill, I do not propose to take up further time in “whipping the cat” on that question. 2. To practice extreme parsimony. Labels: Australia, UK, idiomatic, obsolete Example: He kept school within six miles of Cooperstown, on the Burlington road, whipping the cat, just as young Munro did! Example: I "whipped the cat” a bit, the first twenty miles or so, but then, I thought, what did it matter? What was the use of grinding to save money until we were too old to enjoy it. 3. To regret; to feel self-pity Labels: Australia, New-Zealand, idiomatic Example: I believe one of the members of our hunting section was lucky enough to get a subscription through before they stopped it. The rest of the members of the section have been "whipping the cat” because they left it too late Example: […] he will be whipping the cat he did not leave this line down to carry light traffic from the hills. 4. To blame someone for something that is not their fault. Labels: idiomatic Example: Whipping the cat may only increase our resentment and burn us up with anger. We may engage in combat with our neighbor until both are exhauste . Calling a truce and limping back under our own roof would not be peace. Example: When the work was over I'd to nurse the youngest child; Whenever I cracked a bit of a joke, the missus she would smile; The old fellow got jealous, looked like he'd murder me, And there he sat and whipped the cat, that cocky in Bungaree. 5. To get drunk. Labels: idiomatic Example: I knew him lads when first he shipped, And this is certain, that Though William by the 'cat' was whipped, He never 'whipped the cat'! Example: Presumably while Armin as Tutch is off “whipping the cat” ( getting drunk ) with the watermen, Blue John, his doubled part, arrives to entertain the wedding guests with his nurse and a boy. 6. To go from house to house working by the day, as itinerant tailors and carpenters do. Labels: US, dated, dialectal, idiomatic Example: The practice of "whipping the cat,” though gradually disappearing, is not altogether abandoned by the tailors in this district. Example: I "whipped the cat" three months on the barrens — then I engaged to work for a merchant in Rome. 7. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see whip, cat. Labels: idiomatic Example: Some recommend taking the dead bird away from the cat and whipping the cat.