A Conversation for Ask h2g2
cats
mrninelives Started conversation Jul 3, 2004
Does anyone know where the saying cats have nine lives comes from?
cats
Just Bob aka Robert Thompson, plugging my film blog cinemainferno-blog.blogspot.co.uk Posted Jul 3, 2004
It probably comes from the sight of cats escaping from seemingly certain death due to their agility.
cats
azahar Posted Jul 3, 2004
In Spain cats only have seven lives. 
I have no idea where this comes from, but JustBob's idea makes sense.
az
cats
Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor Posted Jul 3, 2004
It was certainly around in Shakespeare's day:
From Romeo and Juliet:
(Act 111, Scene 1)
Tybalt: "What wouldst thou have with me"?
Mercutio: "Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives; that I mean to make bold withal, and as you shall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pitcher by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out".
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