From their great suppleness and aptitude to fall on their feet

From their great suppleness and aptitude to fall on their feet

From their great suppleness and aptitude to fall on their feet

Nine lives like a cat. "Cats, from their great suppleness and aptitude to fall on their feet, are commonly said to have nine lives; hence Ben Jonson, in 'Every Man in His Humour,' says: ''Tis a pity you had not ten lives a cat's and your own.'" Thiselton Dyer's English Folk-lore.