Why It Rains Cats And Dogs

[Nilsa Housman]

TheEnglish-language idiom "raining cats and dogs" or "raining dogs and cats" is used to describe particularly heavy rain. It is of unknown etymology and is not necessarily related to the raining animals phenomenon.[1] The phrase (with "polecats" instead of "cats") has been used at least since the 17th century.[2][3]

One possible explanation involves the drainage systems on buildings in 17th-century Europe, which were poor and may have disgorged their contents, including the corpses of any animals that had accumulated in them, during heavy showers. This occurrence is described in Jonathan Swift's 1710 poem "Description of a City Shower":[5]

Another explanation is that "cats and dogs" may be a corruption of the Greek word Katadoupoi, referring to the waterfalls on the Nile,[1] possibly through the old French word catadupe ('waterfall'). In old English, catadupe meant a cataract or waterfall.

An online rumor largely circulated through email claimed that, in 16th-century Europe, animals could crawl into the thatch of peasant homes to seek shelter from the elements and would fall out during heavy rain. However, no evidence has been found in support of the claim.[6]

There may not be a logical explanation; the phrase may have been used just for its nonsensical humor value, or to describe particularly heavy rainfall, like other equivalent English expressions ("raining pitchforks", "raining hammer handles").

Raining cats and dogs opened in 1989 and specializing in merchandise for the animal lover and for the pet in our lives. Whatever breed you have-springer spaniel,puggle,Airedale-we have a variety of merchandise for each breed. We carry t-shirts, welcome mats, garden flags, calendars, cookie jars, mugs and much more.

For the pet in your life we carry specialty treats, coats, toys, collars, leashes, dog and cat bowls and catnip. We also carry Douglas dog and cat stuffed animals. You will also find t-shirts and baseball caps with your breed of dog or cat on them.

Twice a year Raining Cats & Dogs has fundraisers for animal charities in the area. One the day before Easter which is our Easter bonnet contest, which is the same day as the massive Easter Egg hunt here in Olde Mistick Village, and the other is Christmas pet photos with Santa.

Another idea from comes from old British towns that lacked proper construction. Because of poor town design and flood risks, cats and dogs would drown whenever there was a major storm. People would see the dead bodies of the animals floating by as if they had dropped from the sky like a proverbial rain of frogs.

And one more interesting reference comes from Norse mythology. Cats and dogs were taken to sea and on Viking raids because of myths, as pets, and as beasts of burden, but cats specifically were thought to have influence over storms. There are multiple versions of the myths and superstitions from the Viking era and into the medieval times. In some explanation, cats had great influence over storms or weather in general while dogs were a signal in wind. In a similar explanation, cats were symbols of torrential rains and the dog attendants of the Storm God Odin were gusts of wind. In yet another Norse Pantheon-related description, witches who transformed into cats rode upon the storm to follow Odin and his dog. These dogs, in this case, could refer to Geri and Freki in the Poetic Edda, but the theories are as wild and loose as the storms they describe.

The phrase might have originated from Norse mythology and superstition. In Norse mythology, cats were thought to have immense control over the elements, and dogs were a signal of the wind. Odin, the principal god of Norse mythology, had a dog attendant who represented the strong blasts of wind during heavy rain. Cats, on the other hand, were thought of as witches gliding through the wind.

Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.

Well, in typical British bank holiday form, it is indeed raining cats and dogs today! But I thought I would grab the bull by the horns, put pen to paper and write this post. These are just some of the fantastic idioms we have in the English language and that can cause real confusion for children with language difficulties.

2) In Norse mythology, Odin, the father-god responsible for storms, was often depicted with dogs and wolves representing winds. According to folklore, witches rode their brooms during storms, accompanied by their black cats, so that image took on the connotations of heavy rains for sailors. Odin and witches could be responsible for the expression.

I had a high school English teacher who told us that the phrase originated from the idea that cats and even small dogs would climb up into thatched roofs to sleep, and when heavy rains would come, they would not be able to hold on to the wet thatch and would fall to the ground.

Jaime McLeod is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.

This is the story I know of and the most plausible. Especially when it rained hard and the beams were even more moist, or if rain was coming through. I like that picture better than dead animals floating down the streets. Thanks Janine. ?

As a 64 year old Grandmother, raining cats and dogs was explained to me many years ago as dogs and cats would make their beds on thatch roofs before shingles were used. When it rained the thatch would get wet and the dogs and cats would fall through the roof, hence raining cats and dogs.

I must concur with Mike Gamble. I have heard the same story of the animals burrowing in the thatched roof, which became slick with rain causing them to slid out of their roof-top nests as though falling from the sky.

The origins of the English expression, It's raining cats and dogs, are uncertain, though the most likely source is a satirical poem by Jonathan Swift, A Description of a City Shower, first published in Tatler magazine in 1710. The poem includes the lines "Drown'd Puppies, stinking Sprats, all drench'd in Mud / Dead Cats and Turnip-Tops come tumbling down the Flood." [More details]

It's all Greek to me It's raining cats and dogs As easy as falling off a log A sandwich short of a picnic It's small world When pigs fly Out of sight, out of mind Crystal-clear Penny Pinching Practice makes perfect The grass is always greener As Snug as a Bug in a Rug

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If you're unfamiliar with the raining cats and dogs idiom, hearing or reading that phase must seem quite shocking. Fortunately, it's not terminology that's meant to be taken literally. Discover how to interpret "raining cats and dogs" meaning and learn about the possible origins of this very unusual-sounding figure of speech.

The phrase raining cats and dogs means that it is raining very hard. It is an idiom used to indicate that there is a torrential rainstorm going on. One would use this expression when it is raining very hard and heavily over an extended period of time.

The origin of the expression "raining cats and dogs" is unknown. There are a few ideas about where the "raining cats and dogs" idiom came from, but no one knows for sure. Like many common expressions, this figurative phrase has been around for centuries. Thoughts on the origin of this phrase are speculative in nature.

There are many examples of idioms in literature. In the case of "raining cats and dogs," there are records of the exact phrase and similar wording in British literature as far back as the 17th century.

There are some other ways to express the same idea as the "raining cats and dogs" idiom. Choose one of the options below instead of "raining cats and dogs," or to use in addition the expression so you can incorporate some variety into your writing.

Now that you're familiar with the "raining cats and dogs" meaning and the possible origins of this unique idiom, take the time to consider how you can use idioms in your own writing. Start by discovering how idioms can make your writing more interesting. Then, get to know some other idioms that relate to everyday occurrences and items. For example, learn about the origins of "beat around the bush." Then, discover what "when pigs fly" means. From there, explore idioms about money.

A pandemic-related decline in available veterinarians and vet technicians and the supplies they need haven't made things any easier, although Stark County vets are busier than ever providing the necessary care.

"It's definitely been a ripple effect that I don't think a lot of people think about or were expecting," said Dr. Kim Carter of the Humble Creatures Veterinary Clinic on Whipple Avenue NW in the Meyers Lake area. She also conducts surgeries for the shelter.

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