About the meaning of the motto 'Touch not a cat but a glove"

[ThistleDown]

I am baffled about the meaning of "bot a glove" in this motto, I incline to the view that it means people who is not wearing a glove should not touch a cat, not means that while a cat is not wearing a glove people should not touch the cat. Because cats have no gloves. My mother tongue is Chinese, I'm quite good at English. Please teach me about it. Thanks a lot!

Shawwii Lu from China

'Bot' is simply another spelling for 'but'. Within the Clan Chattan itself there are two thoughts on the meaning: 'don't touch this cat unless you are wearing a glove' (that is, touch it gently), and 'don't touch this cat unless it is gloved'. A gloved cat is one with its claws withdrawn, or sheathed. The former has more adherents. Historically, the Clanchattan chiefship passed to Angus 6th of Mackintosh and it was his descendant who first used the slogan. As they became armigerous, most of the other Chattan chiefs adopted the same or variants/responses.

[Jock Scot]

'Bot' is simply another spelling for 'but'. Within the Clan Chattan itself there are two thoughts on the meaning: 'don't touch this cat unless you are wearing a glove' (that is, touch it gently), and 'don't touch this cat unless it is gloved'. A gloved cat is one with its claws withdrawn, or sheathed. The former has more adherents. Historically, the Clanchattan chiefship passed to Angus 6th of Mackintosh and it was his descendant who first used the slogan. As they became armigerous, most of the other Chattan chiefs adopted the same or variants/responses.

I wondered-------and hoped-------if the authority on Clan Chattan would chip in, thank you Rex. Nice to hear from you stranger!

[ThistleDown]

Good to see your smiling voice, too, Jock. I missed you this summer. You were in the south for much of it, I think.

[Jock Scot]

Good to see your smiling voice, too, Jock. I missed you this summer. You were in the south for much of it, I think.

Yes, I am afraid that events conspired against me and kept me down south for far too long. I did manage to snatch a couple of all too brief visits back north though.

[Macman]

'Bot' is simply another spelling for 'but'. Within the Clan Chattan itself there are two thoughts on the meaning: 'don't touch this cat unless you are wearing a glove' (that is, touch it gently), and 'don't touch this cat unless it is gloved'. A gloved cat is one with its claws withdrawn, or sheathed. The former has more adherents. Historically, the Clanchattan chiefship passed to Angus 6th of Mackintosh and it was his descendant who first used the slogan. As they became armigerous, most of the other Chattan chiefs adopted the same or variants/responses.

Thank you, Rex. As a Mackintosh, I had only heard the former meaning; the second meaning I found out about only through this thread. I learn something every day!

[Shawwii Lu]

'Bot' is simply another spelling for 'but'. Within the Clan Chattan itself there are two thoughts on the meaning: 'don't touch this cat unless you are wearing a glove' (that is, touch it gently), and 'don't touch this cat unless it is gloved'. A gloved cat is one with its claws withdrawn, or sheathed. The former has more adherents. Historically, the Clanchattan chiefship passed to Angus 6th of Mackintosh and it was his descendant who first used the slogan. As they became armigerous, most of the other Chattan chiefs adopted the same or variants/responses.

I think this is authoritative interpretation. I love the former meaning "touch it gently". It's more friendly than the other one. Thanks a lot for your kind teaching.

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, Shawwi Lu, and welcome to X Marks from the bottom end of Africa.
You wrote: “I think it's not friendly to use this metto as Clan slogan.” (The word you want there is motto.)
Well, you need to understand the background, which is mediæval.
The MacPhersons were not all that powerful a clan, and joined with other clans to form a confederated clan known as Clan Chattan. (The present head of Clan Chattan is a Mackintosh, but that is a long story.)
The MacPhersons, and later Clan Chattan, acquired a reputation of being quick to defend themselves and were likened to the Scottish wild cat in their readiness to do so.
The cat itself is a near-legendary example of native Scottish wildlife, although in the 21st century it is in danger of being lost through crossbreeding.
In fact a group of X Marks members have banded together to design and have woven a tartan called Scottish Wildcat, and a proportion of the proceeds will go to conservation of the breed (you can read all about that tartan on the Tartan Place section of this forum.
The MacPhersons are no longer such a warlike people, and nor is Clan Chattan. But they cling to their tradition, and are very proud of the wildcat badges that are worn on their bonnets and elsewhere (for instance on their sporrans).
Regards,
Mike

[ThistleDown]

The MacPhersons, and later Clan Chattan, acquired a reputation of being quick to defend themselves and were likened to the Scottish wild cat in their readiness to do so.

Actually, Mike, that should be 'the Clan Chattan and later the Macphersons....' Clan Chattan has a longer life-line than Clan Macpherson.

[Jock Scot]

Actually, Mike, that should be 'the Clan Chattan and later the Macphersons....' Clan Chattan has a longer life-line than Clan Macpherson.

I am glad you have cleared that up Rex, as Mike's comment got me thinking and I was not at all sure that I could come with the correct conclusion.

[ThistleDown]

Gives you an idea of the risk, and this pic was taken when she was still a kitten .