Why do we say ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ when it’s just water falling from the sky?
I’ve always been curious about the English language. The phrase “it’s raining cats and dogs” has always stood out to me. It seems odd to describe rain with such vivid imagery.
This saying has been around for a long time. It makes people wonder where it came from. It shows how the English language can be both colorful and confusing. Let’s explore the story and history of this interesting phrase.
The Origin and History of the Phrase
I love learning about old sayings, like “it’s raining cats and dogs.” Let’s explore how this weird phrase came to be.
First Recorded Uses in Literature
Way back in the 1600s, writers first used this saying. In 1651, Henry Vaughan wrote about a roof that kept out “dogs and cats rained in shower.” The next year, Richard Brome used “dogs and polecats” in a comedy. These early uses show how language and sayings change over time.
Jonathan Swift’s Influence
Jonathan Swift was a big name in the 1700s. He helped make the phrase “rain cats and dogs” popular. In his 1738 book, “Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation,” he used the phrase. His poem “City Shower” from 1710 even talked about floods with dead animals, maybe inspiring the saying.
Evolution of the Phrase
Since its start, the saying has changed a lot. From its first writings to becoming a common phrase, it shows how our language changes. Now, people all over the world use it to describe really heavy rain. It’s a great example of how fun phrases can last a long time.
| Year | Author | Work | Phrase Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1651 | Henry Vaughan | Olor Iscanus | “dogs and cats rained in shower” |
| 1652 | Richard Brome | City Witt | “raining dogs and polecats” |
| 1710 | Jonathan Swift | City Shower | Described floods with dead animals |
| 1738 | Jonathan Swift | Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation | “rain cats and dogs” |
Similar Expressions in Other Languages and Cultures
Rain metaphors and expressions about heavy rain are as varied as languages. Many cultures have their own special ways to talk about a big rain. This shows how rich and diverse global languages are.
In my search, I found some really creative ways to say it’s raining. Afrikaans speakers say “raining old women with knobsticks.” Welsh folks call it “raining old ladies and sticks.” French speakers say it’s “raining like a peeing cow.” These sayings are as vivid as our “cats and dogs.”
There’s more to see. Norwegian speakers talk about “raining she-trolls.” In Croatia, they say “axes are dropping.” This paints a picture of dangerous rain. Hindi and Marathi speakers compare heavy rain to a pestle pounding a mortar. This links the weather to a common kitchen tool.
Looking into these rain metaphors, I see how they show each culture’s unique view. From everyday items to mythical creatures, these phrases let us peek into different societies’ imaginations. It shows that while we all get rain, how we talk about it is as varied as our languages.
