Origin of the idiom cat got tongue?

The idiom "cat got your tongue?" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It's a playful way to ask someone why they're being quiet or unwilling to speak.

Here's a breakdown of its possible origins:

* Folklore: One theory suggests it's connected to folklore about witches who could steal tongues, leaving victims speechless.

* Animal Behavior: Another theory points to cats' tendency to "bite off" the tongues of their prey, leading to a metaphor for being silenced.

* Pun: The idiom might have developed as a humorous play on words. Cats are known for being silent creatures, and "tongue" sounds like "tung," which is a dialectal word for "thing." So the phrase could be seen as asking, "What's the matter with you?" or "What's going on?"

While the exact origin remains uncertain, "cat got your tongue?" has become a widely recognized and playful expression used in English-speaking cultures for centuries.