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The English-language idiom "raining cats and dogs" or "raining dogs and cats" is used to describe particularly heavy rain. It is of unknown etymology and is not necessarily related to the raining animals phenomenon. [1] The phrase (with "polecats" instead of "cats") has been used at least since the 17th century. [2] [3]
The idiom is based on the popular understanding of the elevated place of cows in Hinduism and appears to have emerged in America in the late 19th century. [2] [3] [4] [5]A literal sacred cow or sacred bull is an actual cow or bull that is treated with sincere respect.
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
Idioms from non-English cultures (4 C, 7 P) L. Legal idioms (3 P) M. Metaphors referring to animals (16 C, 31 P) Pages in category "Idioms"
An identical phrase, used to express impossibilities, exists in Romanian, Când o zbura porcul, literally meaning "When the pig shall fly"; an equivalent also implying an animal is La Paștele cailor, literally: "on horses' Easter". The Latin expression ad kalendas graecas "to the Greek calends" The German "Wenn Schweine fliegen können!"
Some are more equal than others (George Orwell, Animal Farm) Sometimes we are the student. Sometimes we are the master. And sometimes we are merely the lesson – Jacalyn Smith; Spare the rod and spoil the child; Speak as you find; Speak of the devil and he shall/is sure/will appear; Speak softly and carry a big stick
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British English meanings Meanings common to British and American English American English meanings daddy longlegs, daddy-long-legs crane fly: daddy long-legs spider: Opiliones: dead (of a cup, glass, bottle or cigarette) empty, finished with very, extremely ("dead good", "dead heavy", "dead rich") deceased