Literal Translation
To have a cat in the throat
Actual Meaning
To have a frog in the throat
Etymology
It seems difficult to know its exact origin, but linguists agree on one possible explanation. The expression would date back to the end of the 11th century and come from a derivative of the word maton, which at the time did not refer to a prison guard, but to a lump found in curdled milk, comparable to phlegm in the throat when one is ill. GRIM! But what does this have to do with a cat?
At the beginning of the 19th century, the meaning of ‘maton’ evolved in popular language to refer to a clump of wool, hair or thread that can block orifices. The expression avoir un maton dans la gorge (to have a lump in one’s throat) was born.
Still, what does this have to do with cats? The word maton also evolved, becoming matou (an affectionate word for a cat), then chat. Today, we say avoir un chat dans la gorge when we are hoarse and our voice is raspy.
Not sure how much I buy this one…