--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How did you know it was me?” she asked…" description: "\"“How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.” “You’d be stiff if you’d been sitting on a brick wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d80/j-k-rowling-86_brick-wall_how-did-you-know-it-was-me-she-asked-my_31416.png" --- # How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear… ![“How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.” “You’d be stiff if you’d been sitting on a brick wall all day,” said Professor McGonagall.” quote by J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d80/j-k-rowling-86_brick-wall_how-did-you-know-it-was-me-she-asked-my_31416.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d80/j-k-rowling-86_brick-wall_how-did-you-know-it-was-me-she-asked-my_31416.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d80/j-k-rowling-86_brick-wall_how-did-you-know-it-was-me-she-asked-my_31416.png) > ““How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.” “You’d be stiff if you’d been sitting on a brick wall all day,” said Professor McGonagall.”” [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A playful exchange highlights the absurdity of attributing human emotions to a cat, using magical school setting for humor. **In simple terms:** Humor through absurdity. Key Takeaway Even cats can be subjects of witty banter. Themes humor absurdity fantasy character dynamics Mood playful light‑hearted whimsical Type dialogue comic When to use this quote - reading a fantasy novel - discussing pet behavior - teaching a class - writing comedic scenes Key Concepts personification dialogue Practical Applications - creative writing class - ice‑breaker in a book club Questions to Reflect On - What does the cat’s stiffness symbolize? - How does the professor’s tone affect the joke? A Different Perspective null ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brick wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brick-wall/) [Cats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cats/) [Professor mcgonagall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professor-mcgonagall/) ## Related quotes > [“I think so,' said Professor McGonagall dryly, 'we teachers are rather good at magic, you know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/i-think-so-said-professor-mcgonagall-dryly-we-teachers-are-rather/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well?” said Professor McGonagall, rounding on him. “Is this true?” “Is what true?” Harry asked, rather more aggressively than he had intended. “Professor?” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-said-professor-mcgonagall-rounding-on-him-is-this-true-is-what/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“I know you haven’t,” said Professor McGonagall, sounding half exasperated, half admiring. “But you’re different. Everyone knows you’re the only one You-Know- oh, all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/i-know-you-haven-t-said-professor-mcgonagall-sounding-half/) [J.K. 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I did it by walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-murray/i-didn-t-get-into-this-position-by-being-like-a-stiff-sitting-on-the/) [Bill Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-murray/) > [“The problem, dear professor, is that you wanted someone who could be made intelligent but still be kept in a cage and displayed when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-keyes/the-problem-dear-professor-is-that-you-wanted-someone-who-could-be/) [Daniel Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keyes/) > [“Thank you so much, Professor!” said Professor Flitwick in his squeaky little voice. “I could have got rid of the sparklers myself, of course,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/thank-you-so-much-professor-said-professor-flitwick-in-his-squeaky/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Under a tuft of jet-black hair over his forehead they could see a curiously shaped cut, like a bolt of lightning. "Is that where-?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/under-a-tuft-of-jet-black-hair-over-his-forehead-they-could-see-a/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Harry!” he panted, massaging his immense chest beneath his emerald-green silk pajamas. “My dear boy…what a surprise…Minerva, do please explain…Severus…what…?” “Our headmaster is taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-he-panted-massaging-his-immense-chest-beneath-his-emerald-green/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Hmph,” snorted Professor McGonagall. “It’s high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/hmph-snorted-professor-mcgonagall-it-s-high-time-your-grandmother/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Professor McGonagall had a way of making him feel he must have done something wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/professor-mcgonagall-had-a-way-of-making-him-feel-he-must-have-done/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“A letter?” repeated Professor McGonagall faintly, sitting back down on the wall. “Really Dumbledore, you think you can explain all this in a letter?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/a-letter-repeated-professor-mcgonagall-faintly-sitting-back-down-on/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## More by J.K. Rowling > [“Our Chasers Aren’t Cheating! That was the stunned reaction of Quidditch fans across Britain last night when the so-called “Stooging Penalty” was announced by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/our-chasers-aren-t-cheating-that-was-the-stunned-reaction-of/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were still shining.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/snape-pointed-at-the-parchment-on-which-the-words-of-messrs-moony/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [ “Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus \[ never tickle a sleeping dragon \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/draco-dormiens-nunquam-titillandus-never-tickle-a-sleeping-dragon/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“An intense cold swept over them all. Harry felt his own breath catch in his chest. 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Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Sellotape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/he-wore-round-glasses-held-together-with-a-lot-of-sellotape-because/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher,’” Harry read. “How’re we supposed to get up there?” As though in answer to his question, the trapdoor suddenly opened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/sybill-trelawney-divination-teacher-harry-read-how-re-we-supposed-to/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Harry et Ron furent enchantés d’entendre Hagrid qualifier Rusard de « vieille ganache ».”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/harry-et-ron-furent-enchant-s-d-entendre-hagrid-qualifier-rusard-de/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well, I can certainly see why we’re trying to keep them alive,” said Malfoy sarcastically. “Who wouldn’t want pets that can burn, sting, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-can-certainly-see-why-we-re-trying-to-keep-them-alive-said/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“There was no waking from this nightmare, no comforting whisper in the dark that he was safe really, that it was all in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/there-was-no-waking-from-this-nightmare-no-comforting-whisper-in-the/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Well, I reckon you should --" Ron began, but he was interrupted by the Fat Lady, who had been watching them sleepily and now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/well-i-reckon-you-should-ron-began-but-he-was-interrupted-by-the-fat/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“LOOK AT THIS SNAKE!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/look-at-this-snake/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“Psst!” said a voice, and he looked around to see a wispy little witch and the ferrety wizard from Magical Maintenance gesturing to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/psst-said-a-voice-and-he-looked-around-to-see-a-wispy-little-witch/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) [Explore all 1,347 J.K. Rowling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## More Brick wall quotes > [“he can see through a brick wall in time (as they say in Bree). But”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/he-can-see-through-a-brick-wall-in-time-as-they-say-in-bree-but/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [I am always really buzzed after each performance, and at around one in the morning, Ill hit a brick wall and need to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-morahan/i-am-always-really-buzzed-after-each-performance-and-at-around-one-in/) [Hattie Morahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-morahan/) > [I still have the desire to do the job of acting. It's just a matter of whether I'll be allowed to do the job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-coleman/i-still-have-the-desire-to-do-the-job-of-acting-it-s-just-a-matter-of/) [Gary Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-coleman/) > [Vladimir Putin is a smart guy. I don't like him, smart guy. He is going to advance the cause of Russia until he hits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-kinzinger/vladimir-putin-is-a-smart-guy-i-don-t-like-him-smart-guy-he-is-going/) [Adam Kinzinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-kinzinger/) > [I fell down the stairs of the one level mental institute.so they put me in the safe cusion room but they found a bruise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-mcswain/i-fell-down-the-stairs-of-the-one-level-mental-institute-so-they-put/) Trinity McSwain > [If you don't break a hole through the brick wall, don't just start digging a new hole. Keep going until you break through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/if-you-don-t-break-a-hole-through-the-brick-wall-don-t-just-start/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [“The brick walls are there for a reason. they're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/the-brick-walls-are-there-for-a-reason-they-re-not-there-to-keep-us/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [“I cursed. (S-word, f-word, s-word, d-word, s-word times three, f-word, and a z-word I made up on the spot.) I kicked a brick wall.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-strand/i-cursed-s-word-f-word-s-word-d-word-s-word-times-three-f-word-and-a/) [Jeff Strand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-strand/) > [People who avoid the brick walls - all power to ya, but we all have to hit them sometimes in order to push through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-aniston/people-who-avoid-the-brick-walls-all-power-to-ya-but-we-all-have-to/) [Jennifer Aniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-aniston/) > [“Shortly after this exchange my roommate suggested we start throwing water balloons at the construction workers. 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It can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glennon-doyle-melton/grief-is-nothing-but-a-painful-waiting-a-horrible-patience-grief/) [Glennon Doyle Melton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glennon-doyle-melton/) > [Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall - it's great when you stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-darwin/climbing-at-altitude-is-like-hitting-your-head-against-a-brick-wall/) Chris Darwin [Browse all 253 Brick wall quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brick-wall/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.” “You’d be stiff if you’d been sitting on a brick wall all day,” said Professor McGonagall.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.K. 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