Происхождение идиомы «It is raining cats and dogs»

Ранее в своих статьях преподаватели уже рассказывали о версиях появления таких английских идиом, как «Bless you» и «Break a leg». Сегодня же Рейно предлагает нам познакомиться с секретом происхождения другой, не менее известной идиомы «It is raining cats and dogs».

So the weather this week got me thinking about some of our English expressions, more specifically, «It is raining cats and dogs».

Often we try to find reasons or origins for stories, expressions and rules — this expression being a perfect example.

Rumour has it that in the 1500s houses had thatch roofs (roofs made of dried grass/straw). This was piled very thick to insulate against cold. As such, it was the perfect place for small animals, like cats and dogs, also mice and many other little creatures, to hide from the cold. Apparently during heavy rains, the straw would become very slippery and all manner of small creature would come falling down from the roof — it is raining cats and dogs!

Of course this is only a creative story, no evidence exists to prove this.

Also speculated is the very bad relationship between cats and dogs — usually when the two meet, a fight is about to follow. It is said that maybe this was used to describe a bad storm — maybe a little more believable but still not a proven theory.

Fact is, the original idea of whoever used this expression first, is completely lost to us, and I have to admit defeat in trying to find an explanation. Sometimes, we just have to accept things as they are.

Have a happy week, practice your speaking!