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by Merry Walker on July 31st, 2005

Merry Walker

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What is the origin of the expression "you can spit on the mat and call the cat a bastard" ?

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Answers. 3 helpful answers below.

  • by Anonymous on January 25th, 2009

    Anonymous

    Comes from eighteenth century british sailors before the mast (not commissioned). The cat is the cat o nine tails that was kept in a bag at the foremast. Since the goal was not to show pain when getting lashed for drunkenness or whatever, you could call that cat a bastard here. Meaning make yourself comfortable.

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  • by Valley Elf on December 17th, 2005

    Valley Elf

    Robert Heinlein, in Stranger in a Strange Land, has Jubal Harshaw say to Jill: "This is Freedom Hall, my dear. Everyone does absolutely as he pleases ... then if he does something I don't like, I just kick him the hell out."

    The concept is there, but the words are not.

    Amazon.com allows a search of the book for specific words: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0441788386/ref=sib_dp_srch_bod/102-8411910-3664905?v=search-inside&keywords=Liberty+Hall&go.x=11&go.y=8&go=Go%21

    Heinlein knew and understood the concept, and gave Harshaw his own version, but his was "Freedom Hall," while in just about every novel featuring the character John Grimes, A. Bertram Chandler had him say, "Come in. This is Liberty Hall. You can spit on the mat and call the cat a bastard."

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  • by Answer Guy on August 1st, 2005

    Answer Guy

    It was used by Robert Heinlein in a "A Stranger in a Strange Land" which was first published in 196. It's most often attributed to A. Bertram Chandler. He used the phrase in nearly all the John Grimes books. He first used it in "The Road to the Rim" published in If magazine in 1967.

    It's supposed to be a turn on the phrase that seems to come from the Oliver Goldsmith play "She Stoops to Conquer" written in 1773. The quote goes "Mr. Marlow—Mr. Hastings—gentlemen—pray be under no constraint in this house. This is Liberty-hall, gentlemen. You may do just as you please here."

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