where did 'to skin a cat ' originate?

[MRMKHS1]

[123everton]

My guess is it's something to do with the cat o' nine tails.

[Bbbananas]

Don't know - just as I don't know why this question is in Food and drink.

If you ask me - ALL cats should be skinned. Alive.

[Bbbananas]

waits for the pussy lover flak >>>>>>>>>>>>

[Sandy-Wroe]

Maybe the cat was to be used in a curry as a substitute for chicken or rabbit?
It would need to be skinned before the cooking started.
Salla, I can't agree with you about ALL cats. But for the one that uses my garden as a toilet I'd make an exception.

[Bbbananas]

My point exactly sandy. Particularly the big fat ginger tom that uses my back lawn as his favourite gents.

[Sandy-Wroe]

You don't live in Stranmillis, do you? That's a perfect description of the cat that tests my love of animals to the limit.

[heathfield]

http://www.phrases.or...d/8/messages/135.html

[Bbbananas]

no sandy - I live in Lincolnshire. We have about 3 or 4 cats in the neighbourhood, but it's the ginger one who makes a beeline for my garden. I would quite happily skin it alive (well, not me, but I'd pay someone to do it......!)

[milliezoe]

sallabananas
I have two adorable cats some comments on this thread hurt !!!!!!!!!

[Bbbananas]

sorry millie - I'm only (semi) joking. I have a reputation on here for being a non-cat-lover. I couldn't hurt them - but I do have an issue with them cr@pping on my garden.

No offence meant x

[mccfluff]

its ok salla, i've sent murph off on a mission to find your garden and poo all over it :-)

[Clanad]

Odd Topic location for this type of question, but, what the hey? Similar to the venerable heathfield's offering is this... admittedly a little America-centric, though...

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-mor1.htm