Why do we say 'raining cats and dogs'?

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


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raining cats và dogs meaning

Raining Cats và Dogs Meaning

The phrase raining cats and dogs means that it is raining very hard. It is an idiom used lớn 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.


Raining Cats & Dogs Origin

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.

Some theorize that the expression "raining cats & dogs" is linked to lớn a Greek expression, cata doxa, which looks like "cats & dogs" but doesn"t have any canine or feline-related denotative meaning. Instead, this expression means contrary to lớn what one believes or has experienced. With that in mind, it certainly is unbelievable lớn fathom cats & dogs raining from the sky. The phrase "raining cats và dogs" may also be linked to an Old English term, catadupe. This obsolete word, which sort of looks & sounds lượt thích "cats & dogs," actually meant "waterfall." So, it is feasible that the expression "cats & dogs" evolved from that term to describe water falling from the sky or rain so heavy that it resembles a waterfall. Odin, the Norse god of storms, is said khổng lồ have caused the sky to mở cửa up & pelt down cats (in the form of rain) and dogs (in the khung of wind) as a way to exercise his wrath. Some claim that, in olden times, dogs và cats would seek shelter in thatched roofs, then get washed out during rainstorms.

While it"s impossible lớn know which, if any, of the above musings on the origin of the "raining cats & dogs" meaning might actually be true, it"s certainly fun and interesting to lớn speculate.


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Literary References to Raining Cats và Dogs

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

British playwright Richard Brome penned a similar turn of phrase in City Witt, a comedy that he wrote in 1652. A line from City Witt promised, “It shall rain dogs and polecats.” In Jonathan Swift"s 1738 satire, the Complete Collection of Genteel và Ingenious Conversation, the storyline includes a character who is concerned about the possibility that it could “rain cats and dogs.”

Sentence Examples With Raining Cats and Dogs

The "raining cats & dogs" idiom is commonly used in English language sentences, as are many other examples of figurative language.

Be sure lớn wear your raincoat lớn school; it"s raining cats & dogs out there. I had khổng lồ exit the interstate because it started raining cats và dogs. The rain was so heavy that I couldn"t see to lớn drive. We can"t go kayaking today because it is supposed lớn start raining cats and dogs this afternoon. I"m happy khổng lồ be inside on the sofa since it is raining cats & dogs outside. Our camping trip didn"t go as planned because it was raining cats and dogs for most of the weekend. It was raining cats và dogs earlier, but now the sun is shining and the weather is beautiful. If it"s raining cats và dogs when we get lớn the park, we can use the grill under the picnic shelter.

Raining Cats and Dogs Synonyms

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

delugedownpourdrenching raindriving raininundationpelting rain pouring rainrainstorm soakertorrential rain

Using Idioms in Your Writing

Now that you"re familiar with the "raining cats và 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 lớn know some other idioms that relate khổng lồ everyday occurrences & 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.

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