What is the origin of the expression ‘raining cats and dogs’?

ORLANDO, Fla. – The expression “It’s raining cats and dogs” has a lengthy history.

While some may wonder if it originated from an actual bizarre weather event in the past, there are no records supporting such an occurrence.

Rather than a documented event, the phrase’s origin remains the subject of various theories. One possibility is its connection to Norse mythology.

Norse mythology depicts Odin, the god of storms, alongside dogs and wolves representing wind, while witches riding brooms during storms were often accompanied by black cats, symbolizing heavy rain.

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Another theory suggests a connection to the word “catadupe,” which in old English referred to a cataract or waterfall. This word had counterparts in various ancient languages, such as Latin and classical Greek. Therefore, saying it’s raining “cats and dogs” might metaphorically imply that it’s raining waterfalls.

The earliest recorded usage of the phrase dates back to 1651, credited to British poet Henry Vaughan in his collection of poems titled “Olor Iscanus,” where he referred to a secure roof as being impervious to “dogs and cats rained in shower.”

Shortly after, in 1652, playwright Richard Brome used a similar phrase in his comedy play “Citty Witt,” mentioning “rain dogs and polecats,” with polecats being common in Britain at the time.

However, the phrase gained widespread popularity in 1738 when Jonathan Swift included it in his satire “Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversations,” where a character fears raining cats and dogs, subtly mocking the upper class.

Despite attempts by other writers to introduce alternative phrases like “raining pitchforks” or “raining stair rods,” Swift’s usage prevailed. Notably, Swift had previously used the term in a poem from 1710, “City Shower,” describing floods that left dead animals in the streets after heavy rainfall.

Additionally, the phrase may stem from the Greek expression “cata doxa,” meaning contrary to belief, implying that if it’s raining cats and dogs, it’s raining unbelievably hard.

A debunked theory once speculated that cats and dogs sought shelter in thatch roofs during storms, only to be washed out during heavy rains. However, properly maintained thatch roofs are naturally water-resistant and slanted to allow water runoff, making it unlikely for animals to seek shelter on the outside during a storm.

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