herd cats

== English == === Etymology === Formed of herd +‎ cat, perhaps in reference to domesticated cats’ solitary nature. Possibly from the opening scene of Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979). Shepherds are discussing sheep and the topic strays to cats: "Can you imagine a herds of cats waiting to be sheared? Meow! Meow! Woo hoo hoo." Earliest usage unknown, but the idiom is attested from the 1980s. === Pronunciation === === Verb === herd cats (third-person singular simple present herds cats, present participle herding cats, simple past and past participle herded cats) (idiomatic, in similes) To attempt to control the uncontrollable; to attempt to manage a great many unruly factors or people to a single end. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see herd,‎ cat. ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === References === === Anagrams === cartshed, destarch, starched