Why do people say "it's raining cats & dogs"?

Question

Never understood that one!

Answer 1

I just say it's pissing down....!!

Answer 2

This goes back to the old old old old days. At one point in time when cabins were built the roofs were made out of straw. This would offer protective from the weather and was easily replaced. But straw also offers bedding for cats and dogs, as such cats and dogs would frequently be on the roof of cabins for bedding or sleeping purposes. And when it rained the straw became slippery and the cats and dogs would at times slip of falling to the ground. Hence it is raining cats and dogs.

Answer 3

The phrase "raining cats and dogs" originated in 17th
Century England. During heavy downpours of rain, many
of these poor animals unfortunately drowned and their
bodies would be seen floating in the rain torrents that
raced through the streets. The situation gave the
appearance that it had literally rained "cats and dogs"
and led to the current expression.

Answer 4

It is to do with poor drainage and lots of dead animals, when heavy rain used to overrun the drains in Victorian times and cause torrents of water to pour down the streets any dead cats and dogs (of which there was quite a few as there was packs of feral cats and dogs roaming the towns and cities) would be washed down the streets. Hence the saying "raining cats and dogs"

Answer 5

Well where I live it's not uncommon to be caught by surprise in a shower of pekinese dogs and siamese cats, especially during the monsoon season.

Answer 6

It's an idiomatic expression.
It means that it's raining very hard.

Answer 7

well if you checked if dogs and cats are smart, they will run out from hiding after a storm.

Answer 8

it's a pet name for heavy rain.

Answer 9

Never understood that one myself.......

Answer 10

it means its raining very hard

its an idiom

Answer 11

It means theres some chaos.