dead cat on the line n [Popularized, and very likely originated, in a recorded sermon by the Rev. J. M. Gates; see the first quot below.] chiefly Sth, S Midl See Map esp common among Black speakers
Something underhanded going on.
1929 in 2025 (acc) CA Univ.—Santa Barbara Discography Amer. Hist. Recordings [OKeh 8684, Rev. J. M. Gates, “Dead Cat on the Line”] (Internet) GA [Black], If a child is no way like his father, there’s a dead cat on the line. They tell me that once upon a time they had some trouble trying to get a message over the telegraph line. The company sent a man out to inspect the line; in making his report he said that he found that a cat had gone up the telegraph pole and died on the line. That was the reason why they couldn’t get the message over the line. And if a child doesn’t favor his father in no way, there’s a dead cat on the line. Did you hear me? [DARE Ed.: Recorded 18 Mar, and appar released in July 1929.] 1929 Herald (Roanoke Rapids–Rosemary NC) 29 Aug [10]/3, [Letter:] There is a dead cat on the line somewhere. I do not wish to see any one prosecuted. . . I only want to know of the able Solicitor just why? 1930 MO Pacific Lines Mag. Apr 92/3 KS [Black], Bert Ripley, Ples Smith and H. McGuire made a pleasure trip to Kansas City, March 1. Bert and Mac made it back, but Ples missed the train. There’s a dead cat on the line somewhere. 1948 Shreveport Jrl. (LA) 21 Feb 6/7, [Advt:] My question is, Why can Ward Four build practically the same roads for one fourth the cost as that of the state? My answer is There’s a dead cat on the line somewhere. 1965–70 DARE (Qu. V1, When you suspect that somebody is trying to deceive you, or that something is going on behind your back you say, “There’s _____.”) 20 Infs, Sth, S Midl, Dead cat on the line; SC10, Dead cat on the line behind me; [GA77, NC33, Dead cat up the branch]. [14 of 21 Infs Black] 1977 DARE File sVA [Black], “Dead cat on the line” is one of a store of expressions my mother had. I am sure that “cat” meant just that, a household pet. “Line” I am less sure of. . . One thing is sure. The expression meant a stench in the air that no amount of cover up can conceal. 1980 Ibid sLA, I am originally from Louisiana, and the phrase “there’s a dead cat on the line” is one that I have heard used . . by the black people. . . It was somewhat common to hear about five years ago, but had passed out of usage except by the older people by about a year ago. . . When the phrase was used, it was to connote the feeling that there was something wrong at someone’s house. It came from the saying “there is a dead catfish on the trot-line.” 1996 Macon Telegraph (GA) 14 Feb sec A 9/1, [Letter:] Is there a dead cat on the line, or is there something rotten in Denmark? Well, take your pick. Is it not rather unusual for a state senator to initiate a solution for a local problem? 2022 Enterprise–Tocsin (Indianola MS) 16 June sec A 8/5, In a million years they are probably still not going to believe that we didn’t do anything wrong. But there is no conspiracy theory. There is no dead cat on the line.
