Cat Got Your Tongue?

Cat got your tongue? is a well-known English idiom meaning someone is unusually quiet or at a loss for words. Though it sounds like it could be Southern, the phrase is centuries old and used worldwide.

#Southernish #Animals

synonyms: speechless, tongue-tied, quiet all of a sudden, lost for words

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Cat got your tongue?' I can remember elders sayin' that to me when I was a young'un. I never understood.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Cat got your tongue?' I can remember elders sayin' that to me when I was a young'un. I never understood.

Pronunciation

[kat GOT yer TUNG]
/ˈkæt ɡɒt jər tʌŋ/

Meaning & Usage

- Asking why someone isn’t speaking (idiomatic question)

Mama:

Well? Ain’t you got anything to say?

Uncle Ray:

What’s the matter-cat got your tongue?

variations: cat got your tongue, cat got yer tongue

Origin

This phrase goes back to British English in the 1800s and possibly earlier.

It does not appear in older Southern or Appalachian dialect sources and was never considered a homegrown regional saying. Instead, it came to America through general English usage and spread everywhere.

Its slightly teasing, old-fashioned tone makes it feel like something a Southern grandmother might say, which explains the common misconception.

Verdict: Southernish. Widely used, folksy-sounding, but not a true Southern expression.

Notes

Used jokingly, usually with kids.
Not unique to the South-heard worldwide.
Often paired with a raised eyebrow or playful tone.
Fits naturally in country storytelling even though it's not Southern-born.

Kin Topics

Animals

Common Questions

Is this a real Southern saying?

No - it began in British English and is used everywhere.

What does it mean?

Someone is quiet or suddenly can’t speak.

Why do people think it’s Southern?

Because it has a folksy, old-fashioned rhythm like many genuine Southern sayings.

Do Southerners use it today?

Yes - but so does everybody else.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 15). Cat Got Your Tongue?. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/cat-got-your-tongue
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Cat Got Your Tongue?." HillbillySlang.com, 15 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/cat-got-your-tongue.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Cat Got Your Tongue?." HillbillySlang.com. November 15, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/cat-got-your-tongue.

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