why do people say?

Question

it was raining cats and dogs when it was not

Answer 1

Idioms:" http://www.idiomsite.com/raincatsand.htm

Rain Cats and Dogs

This phrase's origin is unknown. Possible explainations include: The archaic French catdoupe is a waterfall or cataract, lightning and thunder sounds like that of a cat/dog fight, cats had a big influence on the weather, and the sky dog Odin was attended to by wolves according to Norse Mythology.

Another theory is that in old England, they had hay roofs on their houses and the cats and dogs would sleep on the roof. When it rained, the roofs got slippery and the cats and dogs would slide off of the roofs. There for it was "Raining Cats and Dogs".

"raining cats and dogs" came from the middle ages, when houses had thatched roofs. To keep warm lots of animals would hide in the roofs when it was raining and sometimes fell through the flimsy roofs on to the streets below.


I do believe the idiom "Rain Cats and Dogs" stems from the Norse Mythology. Cats were believed to represent the wind and dogs represented rain. Different animals represented different weather and natural phenomenon


For the Idiom "Rain Cats and Dogs" I have heard one other explanation. In old England when peoples cats and dogs died they would simply through them into the gutter or alley with the garbage. If a strong enough rain came through it would flood the gutters and alleys to the point where all the dead cats and dogs would begin to float down the streets. Therefore very harsh rains were associated with cats and dogs.



Hope this was helpful!!

Answer 2

Not sure how true this is but a very long time ago the cats and dogs would sleep in the roof straw. When it rained, sometimes they'd fall through so the saying was, "it's raining cats and dogs."

Answer 3

I actually know this!!! Way back in the day in England, possibly London, they had low roofs on their houses. Cats and dogs would get up on the roofs and chase each other. When a big rain came, as is the case with England, it would wash the cats and dogs off the roofs, hence the phrase.

Answer 4

I guess because the rain is so heavy as if cats and dogs are falling from the sky.

Answer 5

it doesn't make any sense, but,
As much as i can understand your question, You are asking like why do people say? '' it was raining cats and dogs "when it was not?"
Cats and Dogs can not speak comprehensively, first.
People have very good subtle intengible power of language.
that's up!!
Actually it's trivia!!!

Answer 6

Because a long time ago people had weak roofs and the animals that would gather on top of roofs would fall through the roof when it rained outside.

Answer 7

Originally, it was a more creative way of saying it's raining heavily. But it's gotten old.

It's better than "it's raining men"

Answer 8

When heavy rain occurs..its the idiom used!! coz its kinda crazy having both cats & dogs cry------maybe its similar to heavy down pour sound!!

Answer 9

Good question -haven't a clue- though we say it all the time.
try the address below it may shed somelight- All sound like double dutch to me..lol
www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/raining cats and dogs.html

Answer 10

I heard that it rained so much in some places, that it caused floods, and that the outside pets (cats-dogs) would drown.

edit
I found this. http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/raining%20cats%20and%20dogs.html