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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BELL THE CAT, n. and v.

1. n. A nickname given to Archibald Douglas, fifth Earl of Angus, in the reign of James III. of Scotland (1482) on account of his daring offer (expressed euphemistically in the terms of the fable “The Cat and the Mice”) to remove Cochrane, the King's favourite, from the regal presence.Sc. 1762 James Mann in George Buchanan Rerum Scoticarum Historia (Latin edition with new Eng. notes by James Mann) 349:
This Archbald first of that name, sirnamed for distinction, Archbald Bell-the-Cat, upon this occasion: The nobility thus assembled in Lawder-kirk, and consulting how to curb the perverse courtiers who misguided the king, one showed the difficulty of the matter by this parable: the rats and mice upon a time being sore greived at the great harm done to their commonwealth by the cats, deliberating upon the matter ... who shall bell the cat? Earl Archbald hearing the parable answered sadly, I shall bell the cat, meaning Cochran, the great and terrible minion, which he did accordingly at this time.Sc. 1808 Scott Marmion vi. xvi.:
And from a loop-hole while I peep, Old Bell-the-Cat came from the Keep.Sc. 1896 A. Cheviot Proverbs 389:
Angus received and retained to his dying day the nickname of Archibald Bell the Cat.Hdg. 1845 Stat. Acc.² II. 329:
Fifth Earl of Angus, the well-known “Bell the Cat.”

2. v. To dispute, venture to dispute.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems 343:
What is't Man winna ettle at? E'en wi' the Gods he'll bell the Cat.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Bell-the-cat. To contend; with one, especially, of superior rank or power, to withstand him, either by words or actions; to use strong measures, without regard to consequences.Sc. 1821 Scott Pirate xi.:
Mony a time have I heard you bell-the-cat with auld Edie Happer, the miller at Grindleburn . . . about in-town and out-town multures.Ayr. 1789 J. Fisher Poems 106:
Few dogs wi' him durst bell the cat . . . Or else, I trow Their fairing soun'ly frae him gat, Whilk made them rue.