Raining Cats and Dogs – Meaning, Origin & Usage
If you’re ever in the UK, where it’s often raining, on a particularly bad day you are likely to overhear people making small talk about the weather, and exclaim that its ‘raining cats and dogs’. But they don’t mean that cats and dogs are raining down from the sky!
In this article, I’ll be explaining what the phrase really means, and we’ll look into how the phrase may have originated, before going on to explain how and when to use the phrase, and providing examples of alternative phrases that you can use in its place.
And without further ado, let’s get straight to it.
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’?
The phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’ is an idiom, and not a metaphor, and as such is not meant to be taken literally. So, you can forget about the image of cats and dogs falling from the sky, it’s not relevant.
The phrase simply describes rainfall that’s very heavy, or extremely heavy, as opposed to a light mist of rain that you can often get in the UK.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’?
The phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’ is ubiquitous, and it’s very hard to ascertain the how and why of the origin story of the phrase, as well as who first coined the phrase and how long the phrase has been used for, and when it became popularised.
That said however, there is no shortage of speculation as to how the phrase may have originated. Let me walk you through some of the main theories.
At one time during the 1600s, the rain was so heavy in England that some of the city streets became raging rivers of filth carrying many dead cats and dogs. This origin story is in line with the first printed use of the term which came from the pen of the English playwright Richard Brome who wrote ‘It shall rain dogs and polecats’ in the book The City Witt, published in 1652.
Another origin story of the phrase says that it is derived from the rare French word ‘catadoupe’ which sounds very similar to ‘cats and dogs’ and means ‘a waterfall’.
One potential origin story says that the idiom was inspired by Northern Viking mythology, where cats and dogs were closely associated with wind and rain. Dogs were pictured as attendants of Odin, the storm God, and cats were believed to cause storms.
This ancient idea then entered nautical terminology and belief, when early sailors believed that in any storm, the rain was caused by cats and the winds were brought by dogs
How and when do you use the phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’?
The saying ‘raining cats and dogs’ is very common in the UK, where everyone will understand what is meant by it. People don’t tend to use the phrase ironically, only when it’s raining very hard, or particularly hard.
You can use the phrase ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’ both informally and in polite company. The phrase does not describe regular rain however, and is much more applicable and relevant when the rain is falling heavily in big drops that fall down hard, usually due to being accompanied by strong winds. This is the kind of weather where you’ll want to take a hat or umbrella if you dare to venture outside. This is the kind of weather where your umbrella gets blown inside out and you get absolutely drenched while you dash around to try to find shelter from the rain.
What are some other ways of saying ‘raining cats and dogs’?
If you’re ever speaking with a non-native who might be unfamiliar with English idioms, then there are several alternative phrases that you can use in its place. Similarly, there are also alternative idioms that you can use if you want to demonstrate your knowledge of English idioms.
Here are some examples to consider using…
- It’s raining again
- It’s raining hard
- It’s raining heavily
- It’s pouring down
- It’s raining, it’s pouring
- It’s raining like mad
- There’s a yellow weather warning
- It’s bucketing down
- It’s coming down in sheets
- That’s torrential rain
- That’s heavy rain
Final word
So, to sum up, the phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’ is an idiom that simply means ‘raining very heavily’. There’s still much speculation around the origin of the phrase, including who coined it and how far it dates back.
You can use the phrase ‘raining cats and dogs’ in any context where you are experiencing rain or can see heavy rainfall. When speaking with natives in the UK it is typical to discuss the weather when making small talk. There are many alternative phrases that you can use in its place if you prefer.
