CATSPAW Meaning and
Definition
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Catspaw is a noun that refers to a person who is used by someone else in order to achieve their own hidden or selfish motives. The term originated from an old fable in which a monkey used a cat's paw to retrieve chestnuts from a fire, as the cat was unable to withstand the heat. In the figurative sense, a catspaw is someone who is manipulated or employed to carry out someone else's desires or plans, often without being aware of the ulterior motives behind their actions.
A catspaw is typically an unwitting tool or pawn, being used by someone else, often more powerful or cunning, to attain their own goals while avoiding direct involvement or blame. The catspaw may be intentionally deceived or misled into thinking that their actions serve their own interests, while in reality, they are being used as a means to an end.
In some cases, a catspaw may be utilized to shield the main instigator from scrutiny or repercussions by diverting attention or suspicion towards them. The term is commonly used in political or manipulative contexts, describing individuals who act as intermediaries or proxies to carry out covert operations or schemes on behalf of others.
In summary, a catspaw is a person unknowingly or unwittingly manipulated by another to fulfill hidden objectives or serve as a cover for illicit or self-serving actions.
Common Misspellings for CATSPAW
- cats-paw
- cats paws
- cat spaw
- xatspaw
- vatspaw
- fatspaw
- datspaw
- cztspaw
- cstspaw
- cwtspaw
- cqtspaw
- carspaw
- cafspaw
- cagspaw
- cayspaw
- ca6spaw
- ca5spaw
- catapaw
- catzpaw
- catxpaw
Etymology of CATSPAW
The word "catspaw" originated in the late 17th century and has an interesting etymology. It comes from a fable attributed to Aesop, an ancient Greek storyteller. The fable is titled "The Monkey and the Cat", and it goes like this:
In the story, a monkey persuades a cat to reach into a fire to retrieve roasted chestnuts. The monkey promises to share the chestnuts, but once the cat reaches in and gets burned, the monkey quickly eats all the chestnuts by himself, leaving the cat empty-handed.
The phrase "catspaw" comes from this fable, with the cat representing someone who innocently aids another person while unaware of their true motives. In the story, the cat is used as a tool or "paw" by the monkey – just as someone unaware of being manipulated might be used by another person.
Similar spelling word for CATSPAW
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