To rain very heavily or torrentially. An expression describing intense precipitation.
This phrase first appeared in 17th-century England, though its exact origin is debated. One theory suggests it comes from Norse mythology where cats represented storms and dogs represented wind. Another theory points to the poor drainage in old cities, where heavy rains would wash dead animals through the streets.
Despite numerous creative theories about its origin - including cats and dogs falling from roofs during storms - the true etymology remains mysteriously elusive. What's remarkable is how this completely illogical phrase became the standard way to describe heavy rain in English, proving that memorability often trumps logic in language.
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