11/12/2024 Donner sa langue au chat

The French expression "Donner sa langue au chat" literally translates to "give one's tongue to the cat." It means to give up trying to guess something and to ask for the answer. Historically, the phrase evolved from an older saying, "Jeter sa langue au chien" (throw one's tongue to the dog), which suggested giving up and letting someone else speak. However, as cats are considered more secretive and mysterious than dogs, the expression shifted to its current form. In French culture, the phrase conveys a sense of surrendering to curiosity and seeking knowledge from someone who holds the answer.