174 CONCERNING CATS, 



the original reading in Shakespeare was " calves' -g\iV *' A 

 sort of linen or canvas with wide interstices." — Webster. 



Cat-ha7ned, or hauwied. — Awkward ; sometimes applied 

 to a horse with weak hind-legs, and which drops suddenly 

 behind on its haunches, as a cat is said to do. 



Cat-handed. — A Devonshire term for awkward. 



Cat-harpings. — " Rope sewing to brace in the shrouds 

 of the lower masts behind their respective yards, to tighten 

 the shrouds and give more room to draw in the yards when 

 the ship is close hauled." — Marine Dictionary. 



Cat-harping fashion. — Drinking crossways, and not as 

 usual, over the left thumb. Sea term. — Grose. 



Cat-head. — "A strong beam, projecting horizontally over 

 the ship's bows, carrying two or three sheaves, above which 

 a rope, called the cat-fall, passes, and communicates with 

 the cat-block." — Marine Dictionary. 



Cathood. — The time when a kitten is full grown, it is 

 then a cat and has attained maturity, ihat is, cathood. 



Cat-hook. — A strong hook fitted to the cat-block. 



Cat-lap. — Weak tea, only fit for the cat to lap, or thin 

 milk and water. In Kent and Sussex it is also often 

 applied to small, vejy small beer ; even thin gruel is called 

 "cat-lap." Weak tea is also called " scandal-broth." 



Cat-like. — Stealthy, slow, yet appertaining more to 

 appearance. 



Catlings. — Down, or moss, growing about walnut-trees, 

 resembling the hair of a cat. 



Cat d Nine Tails. — So called from being nine pieces of 

 cord put together, in each cord nine knots ; and this, when 

 used vigorously, makes several long marks not unUke the 

 clawing or scratching of a cat, producing crossing and re- 

 crossing wounds ; a fearful and severe punishment, formerly 

 too often exercised for trivial offences. 



Cat or dog wool. — " Of which cotte or coarse blankets 



