Did you know that #Exeter #Cathedral has a #cat door?

The cathedral built in the 14th century, houses an #astronomical #clock.

The original clockwork was greased with animal fat, which attracted vermin.

To combat this, the #bishop allowed a cat to enter the clock room via a #hole in the door.

This hole is also believed to be the origin of the nursery rhyme “Hickory Dickory Dock” (…the mouse ran up the clock…).

#history #catsofmastodon

@mythologyandhistory is that the world's first ever cat flap?

@blag

I'm not sure how anyone would know if it is the very first 

My instinct says no (I'm sure some farmer needed to let a mouse catcher into the barn or an early enterprising hotelier into a tavern), but who knows!