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

[Shawwii Lu]

Someone was curious about the meaning of the motto "Touch not a cat but a glove" and posted a inquiry several months before, and he get no answer(http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...t-glove-58386/). I'm also curious about it, so I searched with www.baidu.com and I think I have find the answer which is pasted as below:

Cats can be fierce, wildcats especially, hence the Clan MacDonald motto is "Touch not a cat but a glove" meaning not to pick a fight with a MacDonald as they have claws and know how to use them! The real meaning was to handle the clan respectfully; this usage of "but" means "without" i.e. "touch not a cat without gloves" or perhaps to handle with kid gloves."A baited cat grows fierce as a lion" and "play with cats and expect to be scratched" are both suggestive of someone who is playing with fire.

Do you think it is the correct understanding?

You can find more Sayings about cat in this link: http://messybeast.com/catsay.htm

I hope this is useful to those who are also curious about this motto.

Shawwii Lu from China

[Liam]

I believe you meant to say MacPherson, not MacDonald....

[Tarheel]

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.

[McMurdo]

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.

[California Highlander]

I believe you meant to say MacPherson, not MacDonald....

...or Mackintosh, Gow, or Clan Chattan. Other similar clan Chattan mottos are MacBain/MacBean, "Touch not the cat bot a targe" and MacGillvray "Touch not this cat".

The Clan Chattan magazine is called "Touch Not."

[KD Burke]

Coincidentally, at the moment there is a series of bright red, formerly bloody furrows extending from my right wrist for several inches toward my elbow.

This is the direct result of touching a cat bot a glove.

The cat, a psychotic Siamese that lives in my house, lures its victims in by looking cute, cuddly and lovable. After a few seconds of accepting worship in the form of head scritches as its rightful due, the cat will invariably roll over, seize the scritching hand in its jaws, wrap both forelegs around its hapless victim, anchoring it in place with extended claws, and perform several vigorous disemboweling kicks with its hind legs, thus creating the aforementioned formerly bloody furrows.

The cat appears to be amused by my screams of pain and is quite indignant when I call a halt to these festivities. It huffs at me!

[Tarheel]

Coincidentally, at the moment there is a series of bright red, formerly bloody furrows extending from my right wrist for several inches toward my elbow.
The cat appears to be amused by my screams of pain and is quite indignant when I call a halt to these festivities. It huffs at me!

As any royal creature would, so will my own. I suggest welding gloves for the next grooming period.

[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

[Shawwii Lu]

I believe you meant to say MacPherson, not MacDonald....

I was baffled about that yesterday, now I think I have understood it. Thank you!

[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.