herd cats

Etymology
Formed of, perhaps in reference to domesticated cats’ solitary nature. Possibly from the opening scene of Monty Python's  (1979). Shepherds are discussing sheep and the topic strays to cats: "Can you imagine a herds of cats waiting to be sheared? Meow! Meow! Woo hoo hoo." Earliest usage, but the idiom is attested from the 1980s.

Verb

 * 1)  To attempt to control the uncontrollable.

Translations

 * German: (einen Sack voll) Flöhe hüten