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

[Shawwii Lu]

Greetings and welcome to XMarks .

The motto " Touch not the cat bot a glove " is saying in modern day English " Don't touch a cat that has it's claws out " .

The expression " bot a glove " is referring to the cat ( wildcat ) not a person trying to touch the cat .

The pad on a cat's paw was once called a " glove " . If the cat is " without a glove " ( bot a glove ) it means the cat has it's claws extended out .

Thus , " Touch not the cat bot a glove " ... means ... " Don't touch a cat with it's claws out " . This motto was used by the Macpherson Clan and was meant as a warning to those who would " touch " their Clan .... or in other words , a warning to those who would interfere and try to do harm to the Macphersons .

Hope this helps clarify .

Cheers , Mike

Thank a lot for your kind and detailed explanations, I think I have understood your meaning totally. Thank you! It like to say "Don't mess with me! I'm fierce and ready to attack anyone who bottered me. I think it's not friendly to use this metto as Clan slogan.

[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 A gloved cat is one with its claws withdrawn, or sheathed.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 .

[Father Bill]

Not overly cuddly.

[MacGumerait]

Thank a lot for your kind and detailed explanations, I think I have understood your meaning totally. Thank you! It like to say "Don't mess with me! I'm fierce and ready to attack anyone who bottered me. I think it's not friendly to use this metto as Clan slogan.

Given the time period , I don't think " being friendly " was necessarily part of their thinking .

[Grizzled Ian]

I wish HBO or somebody could do a high-quality miniseries format of the series (with an entirely British and Irish cast) at least covering the first two books, though Desolation Island would be awesome to include. The success or failure of the series would in part hinge on the casting of the Maturin role, so mishandled in that mess of a movie IMHO.

My first thought for an actor to play Maturin was David Suchet, now that he has ceased to be Poirot.

[Shawwii Lu]

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

Hi,Mike,Thanks a lot for your Patient guidance. What you commented is quite interesting and valuable to me. I have gotten new knowledge today. Thank you very much!
I think it's respectable to cling to one's tradition and to conserve the wildlife. Pepole in this forum are so kind and caring.
Best wishes,
Shawwii Lu