Where does the term of "A cat has 9 lives" originate from?

Hi S.
An old English proverb states "A cat has
nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last
three he stays". This could be where the myth that cats have nine lives
came from.
It's a statement about the hardy nature of cats and the fact that they
give the most love when they are old- too old to chase mice and run away.