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

[OC Richard]

Love your signature line. I am currently on my third trip through the series.

Yes indeed! I used to use portions of that passage as my signature line, however I included the "...she has been offering herself to Lt Babbington" which made me laugh out loud when I read the book. (Sorry I don't have the book in front of me, so I'm paraphrasing.)

Only one trip through the entire series, sorry to say, but two reads of my favourites, and three of the first book.

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.

[Shawwii Lu]

This is from the Clan Macpherson wiki page

Touch not the cat bot a glove. 'Bot' means without. The 'glove' of a wildcat is the pad. If the cat is 'ungloved', its claws are unsheathed. The motto serves as a warning that one should beware when the wildcat's claws are 'without a glove'. It is a reference to the historically violent nature of the clan and serves as a metaphorical warning to other clans that they should think twice before interfering with Macpherson business.

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

[MacGumerait]

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

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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Shawwii Lu]

I grew up around the American Bobcat and have lots of experience with them as neighbors. Respect and cooperation is the only way to live in harmony with any group that identifies with, acts like or is, a wildcat.

Expect loyal friends and companions that may scratch or bite sometimes.

Also, welcome new friend to our group.

Thank you.