To “Let The Cat Out Of The Bag”

Neal Pollard

Apparently, in medieval times, unscrupulous merchants would advertise a pig for sale.  Less than savvy shoppers would buy one and the merchant would give them a bag, with wriggling creature inside, and instruct them not to open it until the creature was calmer.  When these duped ones finally opened the bag, there would be a cat rather than a pig in the sack.  Smart shoppers, on the other hand, would not fall for this trick but rather “let the cat out of the bag.”  This is also where the phrase, “pig in a poke,” originated.  One was advised not to buy a pig in a sack or they might find out they had been tricked.

Today, letting the cat out of the bag is equated with telling a secret in untimely fashion or gossiping or spreading news without approval or authorization (via “The Phrase Finder”).

While there are some things we should be anxious to tell, no matter the cost–like matters related to evangelism and the saving of souls, we need to be careful not to be known as the type who is prone to “let the cat out of the bag.”  People should be able to trust that what they tell us stays with us and goes no further.  Christians with proper ethics and character know when to keep things to themselves, to be discreet and trustworthy.  In Proverbs, this point is repeatedly made.  In Proverbs 11:13, we read, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.”  Again, “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; therefore, do not associate with a gossip” (Prov. 20:19).  Once more, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles” (Prov. 21:23).  These are words of wisdom to govern us the next time we are tempted to “let the cat out of the bag.”