Whats the meaning of raining " dogs and cats "?

Question

Or is it raining cats and dogs?

Answer 1

Means raining very hard.......

Answer 2

It means it's raining hard. Of it's origin:

"Another source: I have heard two interesting origins of this phrase: 1) In the Pennsylvania Dutch culture of the US there was an expression "Raining cats and ducks," both animals being related to rain. The cat from witch craft and the duck for obvious reason. This phrase was corrupted over the years to Cats and Dogs. 2) Much earlier, there were the Norse gods, and the exact one I don't remember, but the god of storms was also the god of animals. Hence the work of the god in a storm also included animals which were also his province.

In old(e) England, the houses were surrounded with open sewers, big ditches running down the road to channel the rainwater. The houses were low, with low hanging thatched roofs and the dogs and cats used to climb up there, one after the other. In heavy downpours, the said animals would tumble from their perches, past the windows and fall into the ditches compelling the 'tankarded' or 'bombed' residents to exclaim, "Aaargh, it's raining cats and dogs."

Definition from Lawson Tremellen: Before sewers any rain, rubbish, etc. was thrown into a ditch that ran beside the road. When animals died they were also thrown into the ditch. When the heavy rains came the dead cats and dogs would be carried away with the water."

Answer 3

its nothing really it just means that it is raining really hard. its just a saying people use to say if you step out side don't be surprised if you get knocked out by the powerful force. The saying came from england they had these houses and the roofs were made out of straw and they were not very tall homes; so the cats and dogs would hide in the straw. So when it rained the animals would fall through the roof so it would lietrally rain cats and dogs.

Answer 4

it comes from england. The roofs were made out of some type of brush or straw. Animals used to hide in them, so when it rained it really rained cats and dogs and thats how that term came about. I saw it on the travel channel like 2 days ago

Answer 5

It means it's raining really, really hard. It's "Raining cats and dogs".

Answer 6

This orginated centuries ago in England, the houses had thatched roofs. The houses were not exceptionally tall and the dogs and cats would sleep on the thatched roofs. During an especially hard rain/downpour, the thatch would become wet and weakened, the weight of the animals would cause them to fall through........ergo, it is raining cats and dogs.

Answer 7

It manner "heavy rain" Why does it mean that? No one particularly is aware of. The beginning is disputed and is rough to hint to a fashioned supply. However it more often than not began around the 1700s.

Answer 8

well for one its "raining cats and dogs"... and its an expression that means its pouring out or raining hard

Answer 9

It potential "heavy rain" Why does it propose that? no person extremely is commonplace with. The foundation is disputed and is confusing to track to a different source. despite the fact that it probable began around the 1700s.

Answer 10

It's raining heavily

Answer 11

It just means it's raining very hard.

And come on people --- dogs in thatched roofs? I cannot believe people still believe that bunk.

It's called education, and it isn't that difficult in the google age

http://www.snopes.com/language/phrases/1500.asp