The earlier form was still in use in 1898 when it was defined in Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.

Popular saying curiosity killed the cat. The proverbial expression curiosity killed the cat which is usually used when attempting to stop someone asking unwanted questions is much more recent. Again the meaning of this phrase is actually the exact opposite of what people believe it to mean. This is quite literally the case for the character Bran in Game of Thrones whose curiosity leads to his forcible fall from the tower after peeking in on some family matters.

The phrase curiosity killed the cat means that being inquisitive about other peoples affairs may get one into trouble. The real saying is Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back. Care killed the Cat.

That could be dangerous. Synonyms Similar Phrases. Curiosity killed the cat but the satisfaction brought it back.

Curiosity Killed the cat But Quotes. The phrase has only gained popularity since the 1900s. It is said that a cat has nine lives but care would wear them all out The earliest version comes from The Galveston Daily News 1898.

People But if curiosity killed the cat. Anyone who has a pet would agree with the popular saying curiosity killed the cat Cats curiosity is a distinctive trait about this species. Curiosity killed the cat but when human are concerned the only thing a healthy curiosity can kill is ignorance.

Proverbs and Family Mottos James Allan Mair 1891 The earliest writing of the phrase as we know it today appears in Proverbs and Family Mottos a book by author James Allan Mair published in 1891. The earlier form of the phrase was care killed a cat. An overly inquisitive person is likely to get hurt.