<P> The original form of the proverb, now little used, was "Care killed the cat". In this instance, "care" was defined as "worry" or "sorrow ." </P> <P> The earliest printed reference to the original proverb is attributed to the British playwright Ben Jonson in his 1598 play, Every Man in His Humour, which was performed first by William Shakespeare . </P> <P>... Helter skelter, hang sorrow, care will kill a cat, up - tails all, and a pox on the hangman . </P> <P> Shakespeare used a similar quote in his circa 1599 play, Much Ado About Nothing: </P>

Who made the phrase curiosity killed the cat