Cat's Paw
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Asian Region:
Cat's Paw
I am having a hot discussion with an aviation colleague about the meaning of the recent Chinese media reference to the Dalai Lama in which the Dalai Lama was described as a "cat's paw". My interpretation is that it is a subtle reference to the fable of the cat and monkey in which the monkey in order not to be burnt incites the cat to rake some chestnuts out of a fire. My friend says, not so, as he is convinced the remark is linked to the fact that a cat's paw has soft adroit pads which conceal sharp vicious claws. He is most adamant about this and refuses to consider the fable.
Does anyone have any thoughts about which of us is correct?
828a
Does anyone have any thoughts about which of us is correct?
828a
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 340
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From: UK
Noun1.cat's-paw - a person used by another to gain an end pawn, instrument
assistant, helper, help, supporter - a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "my invaluable assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work"
I believe this definition might tend to support your view.......
assistant, helper, help, supporter - a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "my invaluable assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work"
I believe this definition might tend to support your view.......
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: HKG
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Asian Region:
42 psi:
Thanks for the inpurt, I can use it to convince my colleague that he is on the wrong track. (However I have to concede his reasoning is good).
Perhaps the message "cat's paw" as used by the Chinese media man is correct on both accounts. He (the media man) indentified the villain and gave the rest of us something to think about by simply using two words. Not bad for someone whose mother tongue is not English or French.
iluvreserve:
Checked out your suggestion and was surprised to learn "The Monkey and the Cat" is a French fable written by Jean de La Fontaine. The moral contained in his story can be narrowed down to "another seeking benefit at your expense". Fits the Dalai Lama to a tee !!!
828a
Thanks for the inpurt, I can use it to convince my colleague that he is on the wrong track. (However I have to concede his reasoning is good).
Perhaps the message "cat's paw" as used by the Chinese media man is correct on both accounts. He (the media man) indentified the villain and gave the rest of us something to think about by simply using two words. Not bad for someone whose mother tongue is not English or French.
iluvreserve:
Checked out your suggestion and was surprised to learn "The Monkey and the Cat" is a French fable written by Jean de La Fontaine. The moral contained in his story can be narrowed down to "another seeking benefit at your expense". Fits the Dalai Lama to a tee !!!
828a
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 577
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From: Gweriniaeth Cymru
Mind you if the phrase "cats paw" had been used say by a local HK gov official/SCMP in reference to western pilots in Hong Kong inciting industrial action, then of course one suspects that some of you would be a little more interested in the meaning of the phrase, hmmmmm?
Meow,
N1 Vibes
Meow,
N1 Vibes
