E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cat may look at a King (A).
An insolent remark of insubordination, meaning, “I am as good as you”, or “Are you too mighty to be spoken to or looked at?” “You may wear stars and ribbons, and I may be dressed in hodden grey, but a man’s a man for a’ that.”
