catinthepan的来历我知道是叛徒变节者的意思

Question

cat in the pan 的来历
我知道是叛徒变节者的意思

Answer 1

it has nothing to do with the cat,but was originally cate.In olden times,and until lately,it was the custom to toss pancakes (to turn them over).It was no easy matter; frequently the cake or cate went in the fire or lodged in the chimney.To turn the cat or cate in the pan was to toss and turn it completely ever,that is,from one side to the other.
And as the cake is prepared it is turned over.This reflects the change of stance or principles of a person on an issue for his or her own benefit.
The word “cate” used by William Shakespeare refers to a cake.In losing the “e” at the end it had been corrupted to cat.You would expect to see a cake in a pan while it is being prepared but not a cat!That is why the phrase sounds odd.