E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Long-tailed.
How about the long-tailed beggar? A reproof given to one who is drawing the longbow too freely. The tale is that a boy who had been a short voyage pretended on his return to have forgotten everything belonging to his native home, and asked his mother what she called that “long-tailed beggar,” meaning the cat.
