The origins of the phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’ are unclear, with theories ranging from Norse mythology to 17th-century England. Despite its unclear origins, the phrase has become a common way to describe heavy rain in modern usage.
The phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’ is a common expression used to describe heavy rainfall, but its origins are unclear. Several theories exist about how this phrase came into being:
Norse Mythology: One theory suggests that it came from Norse mythology, where wolves and dogs were associated with Odin, the god of storms.
Dead Animals in 17th-Century England: Another theory proposes that the phrase originated from dead animals in 17th-century England. During heavy rain, flooded streets would leave dead cats and dogs behind.
Historical references may have contributed to the phrase:
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Jonathan Swift is often credited with coining the phrase in his work ‘A Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation.’
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17th-century literature also included similar phrases, such as Henry Vaughan’s ‘dogs and cats rained in shower’ in ‘Olor Iscanus’
The phrase has become a common way to describe heavy rain:
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‘Did you bring an umbrella? It’s raining cats and dogs outside!’
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‘We wanted to go hiking, but it started raining cats and dogs, so we’ll have to wait.’
The article draws on various sources, including Norse mythology, 17th-century English history, Jonathan Swift’s writing, and examples from modern usage.
Note: The provided text has been restructured and reformatted for improved readability.
- howstuffworks.com | Why We Say Its Raining Cats and Dogs When Its Literally Not
