Chacham's Journal: (Humor:) Question: Origin: "Raining cats and dogs"

OK, "It's raining cats and dogs." I notice the "dogs" after splashing through some poodles. But where are those ferocious felines?

Rain Gutters

[einstein]

I think it comes from a time when there were lots of stray cats and dogs living in the grates of a city... a heavy rain came along, and all the cats and dogs had to run, swim, get out of the drainage system or risk drowning, and it looked to passerbys like the gutters were full of cats and dogs. I think.

Re:Rain Gutters

[Chacham]

Yeah, found that later, though it seems silly, and not funny enough. :-)

Theres a few stories out there

[curtisk]

Gleaned from the web:

Houses had thatched roofs -- thick straw -- piled high, with no wood supports underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the dogs, cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

Dutch saying

[Kj0n]

In Dutch we say "Het regent oude wijven.", which means "It's raining old women.".

I wonder where that saying comes from.

Re:Dutch saying

[stefanlasiewski]

Well, isn't it obvious? :)

Houses had thatched roofs -- thick straw -- piled high, with no wood supports underneath. It was the only place for old women to get warm, so all in laws, know-it-all sisters and your wife's friend with the high-pitched whiney voice lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the old women would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining old women."

PUZZLES

[jasonrocks]

I know this is off topic, but I saw a previous journal entry about good puzzles. Well, I remembered a book that I own or owned (not too big but good). If you're an interrested buyer, email me @ flamesrule89 AT yahoo DOT com (Trust me, it's the type you like, if you're interrested, I'll try to find it)
then I remembered a radio broadcast on NPR [npr.org] It was about puzzles of all things. On the broadcast [npr.org] a discussion is made about different puzzles. There was a fellow named Will Shortz who is the only individual in

Re:PUZZLES

[Chacham]

Define "good". :-)

It's got to be logic puzzles (not charts) that challenge the "normal" way of thinking, or assumed "boundaries".

As for Will SHortz, those are word puzzles. Cute, but hardly what I am lookng for.

Re:PUZZLES

[jasonrocks]

I honestly don't remember what the book is like. It's been a long time. I may not even have it. Good luck with your puzzles.