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raining cats and dogs

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pebsimba
 
Reply Sat 13 Sep, 2008 04:06 am
wondering where this expression derived from
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Type: Question • Score: 0 • Views: 438 • Replies: 1
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dadpad
 
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Reply Sat 13 Sep, 2008 04:18 am
@pebsimba,
in the filthy streets of 17th/18th century England, heavy rain would occasionally carry along dead animals and other debris. The animals didn't fall from the sky, but the sight of dead cats and dogs floating by in storms could well have caused the coining of this colourful phrase.

Some other possible origins are here
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-rai1.htm
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