When it Rains it Pours – Meaning, Origin & Usage
“When it rains, it pours” is a particularly well-known saying in the UK (where it often rains), and the phrase can even be considered a cliche. However, the phrase is not always used to refer to the weather, because the phrase is an idiom and is used figuratively.
In this article, we’ll break down the idiom and explain what it means, before doing a deep dive into the origins of the phrase. Then we’ll cover how the phrase tends to be used in everyday conversation before going into different variations and similar and related sayings. We’ll also touch on how the phrase has been used in literature and the media, and the psychological impact of the phrase.
Let’s get straight to it.
Understanding what is meant by “when it rains, it pours”
Basically, the saying “when it rains, it pours” simply means that when something bad or difficult to handle comes along, other misfortunes tend to follow in rapid succession, else all at the same time. This could just refer to two negative events, or it could refer to several of them.
The phrase “when it rains, it pours” is a widely recognized idiom that conveys the idea that events, particularly negative ones. It remains an enduring metaphor due to its universal relatability. It encapsulates life’s unpredictability, where events, whether good or bad, often cluster together, leaving individuals feeling either overwhelmed or unexpectedly fortunate.
Historical origins of the phrase “when it rains, it pours”
Perhaps surprisingly, the phrase “when it rains, it pours” has relatively recent origins, dating back to the year 1914. It was coined in an advertising campaign by Morton Salt Company. The slogan referred to the addition of an anti-caking agent into Morton salt that prevented it from clumping in humid weather, which was a problem for cooks at the time.
The phrase emphasised that Morton Salt would flow freely even in humid damp or conditions. The phrase has since transcended its advertising origins to become part of common vernacular.
How the phrase can be used in everyday conversation
The phrase “it never rains but it pours” is often used by people when they are relaying recent events in their life or in someone else’s life, as a summary Alternatively, the phrase can also be used to convey empathy when you’ve just overheard someone relaying recent negative events in their life, or in someone else’s life.
Sometimes people may use the phrase to describe a rapid succession of relatively minor negative events, and other times it can be used to portray a rapid succession of more devastating events.
For example, in an office environment, there may be a technical problem with the equipment for an important B2B presentation, and the same morning, the presenter and expert on the subject could ring in sick.
In a more extreme example, someone could lose their job, and shortly afterward find out that their life partner has a terminal illness and needs serious care.
Similar and related sayings to “when it rains, it pours”
There’s also the very similar phrase, “it never rains but it pours”, which means the same thing as “when it rains, it pours”.
Then there’s the phrase “bad things always come in threes” which is perhaps a more widely known and widely repeated saying, that’s an equally miserable line referring to negative events happening in quick succession.
There was a similar saying from renowned wordsmith Shakespeare, who included the following line in Hamlet (Act four, scene five):
“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.”
Meanwhile, in Greece, they have a saying, which, when translated becomes “Whatever it rains, let it fall”.
How the phrase “when it rains, it pours” is used in literature and media
In the track “When It Rains It Pours” released in 2005, 50 Cent uses the phrase to describe the violent and unpredictable nature of street life. The lyrics emphasize how trouble escalates rapidly in his environment.
Then in 2017, Luke Combs released a country song called “When It Rains, It Pours”, which flips the phrase on its head, describing a streak of good luck after a breakup. The title plays on the traditional negative connotation, turning it into a humorous and optimistic narrative.
The emotion behind the phrase “when it rains, it pours” is also reflected very well in Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events It is a series of thirteen children’s novels, which has also been made into a film, as well as an American black comedy adventure film starring Jim Carey. It has also been made into a TV series and a video game. While the series doesn’t use “when it rains, it pours”, its title and events echo the essence of the phrase.
The psychological impact of the phrase “when it rains, it pours”
There’s no getting around it, the phrase “when it rains, it pours” is depressing. For many people, the mere mention of rain is depressing enough, but by saying it’s not just raining but pouring down with rain, that’s even more negative.
The danger of hearing this saying, or even thinking it too often can lead to a great deal of pessimism. Although there are those who say that it’s better to be pessimistic than optimistic, because you’ll never be disappointed, this line of thinking may lead to some people giving up on things too early. And it’s a miserable way to live if you feel you never have anything to look forward to.
Final word
So, in summary, the phrase “when it rains, it pours” means that when bad things start happening, they tend to be really bad. The phrase can be traced back 1914 when it was used as an advertising slogan for a marketing campaign for salt that will pour even in humid conditions. The phrase quickly crept into common parlance and even became somewhat cliche. In more recent times, the phrase has even been used as song titles in rap and in country music.
