A Wild Expression With Mysterious Roots
When the sky opens up and rain pours down in sheets, we often say it’s “raining cats and dogs.” The phrase is one of English’s strangest idioms — dramatic, funny, and instantly understood.
But where did it come from? Surprisingly, the origin is still debated, and several colorful theories compete for credit.
📜 Earliest Uses
The phrase goes back at least to the 17th century.
In 1651, poet Henry Vaughan referred to a roof that was secure against “dogs and cats rained in shower.” Later, in 1738, satirist Jonathan Swift used the phrase in his poem A Description of a City Shower:
“Drowned puppies, stinking sprats, all drenched in mud,
Dead cats and turnip-tops come tumbling down the flood.”
These references show the phrase was already in circulation long before modern plumbing and drainage.
🐾 Theory 1: Streets and Poor Drainage
One explanation ties the phrase to old European towns, where heavy rain could flood streets. With poor drainage, debris — including garbage and sometimes the bodies of stray animals — would wash through the gutters.
For those witnessing the aftermath, it may have looked like it had “rained cats and dogs.”
🌩️ Theory 2: Norse Mythology
Another theory traces it to Norse mythology and folklore.
- Cats were symbols of storms and rain.
- Dogs were associated with Odin, the storm god, often depicted with wolves or hounds controlling the wind.
Together, cats and dogs represented tempestuous weather.
📖 Theory 3: Playful Exaggeration
Some linguists argue it was simply a nonsense exaggeration, like saying “it’s raining buckets.” English has a long history of hyperbolic idioms, and “cats and dogs” may have stuck because the pairing was both memorable and comical.
🧠 Why the Phrase Endured
- Vivid image: It’s impossible not to picture animals tumbling from the sky.
- Humor: The absurdity makes it fun to say.
- Literary support: Writers like Swift cemented it in print.
By the 18th century, it was firmly established as shorthand for torrential rain.
📖 Modern Usage
Today, “raining cats and dogs” is mostly used in informal speech or writing:
- “Don’t forget your umbrella — it’s raining cats and dogs out there.”
- “The soccer game was canceled because it was raining cats and dogs.”
It’s less common in formal English, but still widely recognized worldwide.
🔄 Related Phrases
Other languages and English dialects have their own colorful rain idioms:
- French: Il pleut des cordes — “It’s raining ropes.”
- Spanish: Está lloviendo a cántaros — “It’s raining pitchers.”
- German: Es regnet Bindfäden — “It’s raining strings.”
- English variant: “It’s raining buckets” or “pouring rain.”
All use exaggeration to make the weather more dramatic.
❓ FAQs
Q: Did animals really fall from the sky?
A: No — while frogs or fish can be lifted by storms and fall later, “cats and dogs” was figurative.
Q: Is the origin agreed upon?
A: No. The drainage, mythology, and exaggeration theories all have supporters. The exact origin remains uncertain.
Q: Do people still use the phrase today?
A: Yes, though it’s more common in British English. In American English, people often just say “it’s pouring.”
Q: Is “raining cats and dogs” outdated?
A: Not really. It’s less frequent than before, but still understood and appreciated for its humor.
📌 Final Thought
When you say it’s “raining cats and dogs,” you’re drawing on centuries of history — from flooded city streets to Norse myths to Jonathan Swift’s poetry.
No matter its true origin, the phrase survives because it’s fun, vivid, and unforgettable. It’s proof that exaggeration is one of language’s favorite tools.
