Tyler Brooks
When all candles be out, all cats be gray is a proverb that has been used in various contexts, including literature, science fiction, and social commentary. The phrase suggests that in the darkness, appearances become meaningless, and distinctions between individuals are blurred. It has been attributed to different authors, including John Heywood, Benjamin Franklin, and Voltaire, and continues to be referenced in modern times to convey the idea that when visibility is limited, our perceptions and judgments are altered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest Known Use | 1546, in a book by John Heywood |
| Literal Meaning | Cats are indistinguishable from each other in the dark |
| Interpreted Meanings | Individual distinctions are not relevant in certain circumstances; appearances are meaningless in the dark; all persons are undistinguished until they have made a name for themselves; everyone is beautiful/handsome when the lights are out |
| Notable Mentions | Benjamin Franklin; Desiderius Erasmus; Andre Norton; Voltaire |
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What You'll Learn
The saying originates from a book of proverbs by John Heywood
The saying, "When all candles be out, all cats be gray," originates from a book of proverbs by John Heywood, published in 1546. The full collection, titled "A dialogue of the effectual proverbs in the English tongue concerning marriage," was over 200 pages long and focused on the topic of marriage. Heywood, an entertainer in the royal court of Henry VIII, was known for gathering proverbs and writing plays in his spare time.
The proverb itself suggests that when the lights are out, appearances become meaningless, and everyone is undistinguished or indistinguishable. It has been interpreted in various ways across different contexts. For example, in 1796, a translation of Marguerite de Lubert's "Princess Coquedoeuf and Prince Bonbon: A History" used the saying to convey that the pleasure of physical enjoyment with an older woman can be equal to or greater than that with a younger one, as all women are alike in the dark.
In 1745, Benjamin Franklin used a similar proverb in his "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress," suggesting that when it comes to physical pleasure, age is not a determining factor as all women are alike in the dark. However, the New York Times criticized Franklin for this assertion in an editorial published on January 13, 1896, arguing that the expression was false and had no foundation in fact.
The saying has also been used in a racist context, as seen in a 1961 publication by Richard W. Gable, where he wrote, "All cats are grey at night, and it is still long hours to go before dawn, over much of America," implying that despite the capabilities and cultivation of the mind, the individual Negro is still not free and must work harder to raise themselves to the level of their inferiors. This interpretation stands in stark contrast to the original marriage context in which Heywood used the proverb.
Over time, the proverb has evolved and taken on different forms, such as "All cats are gray in the dark," "In the night, all cats are gray," and "By night, all cats are grey." Despite the variations, the underlying meaning remains consistent, suggesting that in the absence of light, appearances become irrelevant, and all distinctions fade away.
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It was first published in 1546
The phrase "when all candles be out, all cats be gray" was first published in 1546. It appeared in a book of proverbs compiled by John Heywood, a writer and entertainer in the royal court of King Henry VIII. The book, titled "A dialogue of the effectual proverbs in the English tongue concerning marriage," was over 200 pages long and contained various proverbs related to the topic of marriage.
Heywood's book is believed to be the earliest known use of this phrase in print. However, the expression may have existed in oral form before it was documented by Heywood. One source mentions that the phrase was included in a book of proverbs compiled by Dutch Renaissance humanist and theologian Desiderius Erasmus, but it is unclear if this appearance predates Heywood's publication.
Over the centuries, the phrase has been used by various authors and writers, often with slight variations but retaining the core meaning. For example, in 1719, Peter Motteux translated Miguel de Cervantes' "The History of the Renowned Don Quixote de la Mancha," where a similar proverb appears: "In the Night, all Cats are grey." Benjamin Franklin, in his "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress" (1745), also used the phrase metaphorically to describe the process of aging.
The expression "all cats are gray in the dark" has been used in different contexts, often to convey that appearances can be deceiving or that distinctions become meaningless when visibility is limited. It has been applied in various domains, including literature, social commentary, and popular culture, sometimes taking on additional layers of interpretation.
While the original publication of the phrase occurred in 1546, its endurance and adaptability have allowed it to remain relevant and recognized even in modern times.
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It is used to mean that appearances are meaningless in the dark
The idiom "When all candles be out, all cats be gray" means that appearances are meaningless in the dark. This phrase has been used in various forms since the 16th century and is attributed to several notable figures, including John Heywood, Benjamin Franklin, and Voltaire.
The underlying message of this idiom is that when there is no light, physical appearances become irrelevant, and everyone is undistinguished. In other words, when the lights are out, everyone is equal, and physical beauty is no longer a factor in how we perceive others.
This concept is explored in the book "All Cats Are Gray" by Andre Norton (writing as Andrew North). The story, published in 1953, is a science fiction thriller with a female protagonist. While the plot involves a derelict spaceship and a menacing alien, the underlying theme relates to the idiom—that in the darkness of space, appearances are meaningless, and the heroine's gender becomes irrelevant to her ability to navigate the challenges she faces.
The idiom has also been used to address issues of racial equality. In this context, the phrase "all cats are gray in the dark" suggests that individual distinctions based on skin colour are irrelevant. This interpretation was noted by Israel Zangwill in 1907, who wrote, "In such a darkness, in which all cats are grey, Lucrezia Borgia might well seem as white as a blue-eyed Persian."
Overall, the idiom "When all candles be out, all cats be gray" is a powerful reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that true equality comes when we look beyond physical attributes and focus on the substance of an individual.
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It has been used in a racist and sexist context
The phrase "when all candles be out, all cats be gray" has been used in a variety of contexts, including racist and sexist ones. The phrase, which means that things are indistinguishable in the dark, has been interpreted and used in ways that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and ideologies.
One example of the phrase being used in a racist context can be seen in the film "Sixteen Candles." In the movie, the Asian foreign exchange student is named "Long Duk Dong," a name that references male genitalia. The character embodies negative Asian stereotypes, including speaking limited English and engaging in wild partying and sexual escapades once exposed to American culture. This portrayal reinforces the racist notion that Asians are inferior and reinforces Hollywood's stereotypical depiction of Asians as emasculated side characters meant to be laughed at.
Additionally, the phrase has been used in a sexist context by Benjamin Franklin in his 1745 writing, "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress." Franklin suggests that:
> "The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as ever: So that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old from a young one."
Here, Franklin objectifies women, suggesting that their value lies solely in their physical appearance and sexual attractiveness. He further implies that women's bodies are comparable to objects, as he describes the face and upper body as deteriorating over time while the "lower parts" remain desirable.
The phrase "when all candles be out, all cats be gray" has been interpreted and used to justify and perpetuate harmful ideologies. In both the racist and sexist contexts, the phrase contributes to the dehumanization and objectification of marginalized groups, perpetuating stereotypes and promoting a lack of empathy and understanding.
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It has a French equivalent: la nuit, tous les chats sont gris
The expression "When all candles be out, all cats be grey" is an idiom that means that when it is dark, appearances become meaningless, and everything and everyone is undistinguished. The saying is believed to have been first used by John Heywood in a book of proverbs concerning marriage, published in 1546. The expression has been attributed to various other writers, including Benjamin Franklin, Desiderius Erasmus, and Miguel de Cervantes.
The French equivalent of this expression is "la nuit, tous les chats sont gris," which translates to "at night, all cats are grey." This saying has also been used in English, appearing in a 1719 translation of Miguel de Cervantes' "The History of the Renowed Don Quixote de la Mancha." The French expression has the same meaning as its English counterpart, referring to the idea that in the darkness, distinctions between individuals become less relevant, and everyone is on equal footing.
The idiom has been used in various contexts, sometimes with a literal meaning, and other times as a metaphor. For example, in Richard W. Gable's "Plan for Research and Publications in Public Administration," published in 1961, the saying is used in relation to racial inequality in America, suggesting that despite the capabilities and cultivation of an individual, they are still not free from the handicap of their skin colour. In this context, the saying takes on a critical tone, highlighting the injustice of racial discrimination.
The expression has also been used in a more light-hearted manner, as seen in a 1796 translation of Marguerite de Lubert's "Princess Coquedoeuf and Prince Bonbon: A History." Here, the saying is used to introduce the story of a wizard who discovers various universal truths, including the fact that "all cats are grey in the dark."
Over time, the idiom has been adapted and reinterpreted to fit different contexts and cultural perspectives, showing its versatility and relevance across centuries.
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Frequently asked questions
The idiom "when all candles be out, all cats be gray" means that when it is dark, appearances become meaningless as everything is hard to see or unseen.
The phrase was first used in the United States in the 'Papers of Benjamin Franklin'. However, it is believed that the phrase was first penned by John Heywood, an entertainer in the royal court of Henry VIII.
The phrase has been used to convey that when the lights are out, everyone is beautiful or handsome, and individual distinctions become irrelevant.
