Cat-Tails for Two Cat-Tails for Two Cat-Tails for Two is a 1953 (1961 Blue Ribbon Re-issue) Warner Bros. "Merrie Melodies" cartoon, directed by Robert McKimson and written by Tedd Pierce starring Bennie the fat cat and George. It was animated in 1952. Voices by Mel Blanc and music by Carl Stalling. It was the first appearance of Speedy Gonzales, in a prototype form. Because this cartoon's rendition of Speedy Gonzales looked rather coarse, they redesigned him for future cartoon releases. The two cats pursuing Speedy in "Cat-Tails for Two" are the slow-witted (and injury-causing) Benny and the fully functioning but unfortunate George, both
Cat o' nine tails components). Although the purpose was to control infection, it caused the sailor to endure additional pain, and gave rise to the expression "rubbing salt into his wounds", which came to mean vindictively or gratuitously increasing a punishment or injury already imposed. The British Army had a similar multiple whip, though much lighter in construction, made of a drumstick with attached strings. The flogger was usually a drummer rather than a strong bosun's mate. Flogging with the cat o' nine tails fell into disuse around 1870. Whereas the British naval cat rarely cut (contrary to graphic films) but rather abraded the