Wednesday's Random Slang-o-rama: Draw through the water with a cat (April Fools'!)

How fortuitous that Slang-o-rama falls on April 1st, a good day to draw a fellow through a pond with a cat.

Say what????
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I stumbled upon this bizarre bit of slang while perusing Slang and Its Analogues, Past and Present (Vol. 2) by John Stephen Farmer, from 1891. According to the dictionary, to draw through the water with a cat or alternatively, to whip the cat (yikes!) means to indulge in practical jokes.

Apparently this phrase dates from about 1785. Its origin is explained as follows:

A trick often practised on ignorant country fellows, vain of their strength; by laying a wager with them, that they may be PULLED THROUGH A POND BY A CAT; the bet being made, a rope is fixed round the waist of the party to be catted, and the end thrown across the pond, to which the cat is also fastened by a pack-thread, and three or four sturdy fellows are appointed to lead and whip the cat; these, on a signal given, seize the end of the cord, and pretending to whip the cat, haul the astonished booby through the water.

 Of course, I—an appreciator and admirer of four-footed household felines—had to quickly check what a "pack-thread" was. It is simply thick thread for sewing or tying up packages. Thus, it sounds like no harm befalls the cat involved and the only injury is to the victim's dignity.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy April Fool's Day, and if you have pet cats, don't let them catch you reading this... 

From the Diva Miss Mia, who keeps careful watch over me as I type this post:
"Whip the cat? Don't even think about it."