We’ve all heard someone say, “It’s raining cats and dogs!” Of course, it doesn’t mean household pets are falling from the sky. It’s just a colorful way to describe a heavy downpour. But where did this strange phrase come from? And could it ever actually rain animals?
Let’s explore the surprising history of this odd idiom and the real-life cases of animal rain that may be even weirder than the expression itself.
The Meaning of the Idiom
“Raining cats and dogs” is an English idiom that simply means it’s raining very heavily. No one knows exactly when or how this saying began, but it has been used for centuries to express surprise at intense weather.
While we use it lightheartedly today, its origins may be darker and more literal than you’d expect.
Theories Behind the Phrase
Middle Ages Urban Myth
One of the more popular theories dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, cities had poor drainage systems, and during heavy rain, flooding would sometimes wash animal corpses—especially stray dogs and cats—through the streets. To witnesses, it may have seemed like animals were “falling” from the sky.
Thatch Roof Explanation
Another story suggests that animals often lived in the thatched roofs of houses during the 16th century. When heavy rainstorms hit, the roofs became unstable, and the animals would fall into the house. That may have inspired the idea of animals literally falling during storms.
No Solid Proof
Despite these interesting tales, there’s no solid evidence to confirm any one origin. Linguists have not found a direct etymology for “raining cats and dogs.” Some even believe it may have started as a joke or slang phrase that simply caught on because of how absurd it sounds.
But Can It Actually Rain Animals?
Odd as it sounds, yes—it can rain animals. Not cats and dogs, but there have been documented cases of rain involving fish, frogs, worms, and even jellyfish. Though rare, these events are very real and have occurred all over the world.
What Causes It?
The most accepted explanation is strong winds or waterspouts. A waterspout is a tornado that forms over water and can suck up small aquatic animals like fish and frogs, lifting them into the air. These creatures are then carried by storm clouds before falling to the ground along with rain.
Another explanation involves strong updrafts—columns of rising air that can lift lightweight creatures high into the sky, especially during powerful storms.
Let’s take a look at some real examples.
Documented Cases of Animal Rain
Fish Rain in Louisiana (1947)
On October 23, 1947, biologist W.F. Bajkov was eating breakfast with his wife in Marksville, Louisiana when their waitress announced that it was “raining fish.” Hundreds of small fish were found scattered across streets, yards, and rooftops. Some cars even ran over them.
Frog Storm in Serbia (2005)
Residents of the small Serbian town of Odzaci were stunned in June 2005 when thousands of frogs fell from the sky during a thunderstorm. Local climatologists said it likely wasn’t unusual, just shocking. Winds from the storm probably swept up the frogs from a nearby pond and dropped them miles away.
Fish Fall in Australia (2010)
In 2010, the desert town of Lajamanu in northern Australia witnessed fish falling from the sky—twice in one week. Dozens of small white fish rained down from a storm cloud. The town is hundreds of miles from the nearest body of water.
More Weird Examples
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In Japan, it once rained tadpoles and small fish across multiple prefectures.
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In Norway, it once rained earthworms after a storm.
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In Argentina, jellyfish once covered a beach after being carried inland by a freak storm.
Why Only One Species at a Time?
One mystery that scientists can’t fully explain is why only one species usually falls during these events. If strong winds or tornadoes were lifting animals from a pond, wouldn’t we expect a mix—fish, frogs, and maybe even insects?
But no reports show mixed animal showers. It’s always frogs, or fish, or worms—but never all at once. This has led some researchers to question whether waterspouts are the only cause.
Skepticism and Unanswered Questions
Not everyone is convinced by the waterspout theory. Some argue that no one has ever seen a tornado actually pick up animals. People only witness the result—animals falling from the sky.
Another challenge: how do these animals survive being carried so far and dropped back down? Some are still alive when they hit the ground, while others are already dead.
These unanswered questions keep the phenomenon of animal rain in the realm of scientific curiosity and mystery.
So, Can It Really Rain Cats and Dogs?
Not literally. There has never been a reported incident of domestic cats and dogs falling from the sky. But the idea isn’t entirely off base. Real cases of animal rain involving fish, frogs, and other small creatures prove that nature can pull off some pretty strange tricks.
The Expression in Modern Use
Today, “raining cats and dogs” is just a colorful way of saying it’s pouring rain. While its exact origin remains uncertain, it may have been inspired by real observations of animals during storms—or it may just be an example of old English humor.
Regardless, the phrase lives on in everyday conversation, weather reports, and even pop culture.
Other Languages with Similar Idioms
English isn’t the only language with strange sayings about rain. Here are a few fun examples:
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In Welsh: “It’s raining old women and sticks.”
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In French: “Il pleut des cordes.” (“It’s raining ropes.”)
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In Spanish: “Está lloviendo a cántaros.” (“It’s raining from pitchers.”)
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In Dutch: “Het regent pijpenstelen.” (“It’s raining pipe stems.”)
These expressions show how every language adds its own quirky twist to describe the weather.
Final Thoughts
While it will probably never rain cats and dogs in the literal sense, real weather events have shown that small animals can fall from the sky under rare conditions. Fish, frogs, worms, and even spiders have all made headlines after being swept up and dropped by storms.
The idiom “raining cats and dogs” may remain a mystery, but its lasting power in the English language is a testament to how strange weather and vivid imagination go hand in hand.
Next time you hear someone use the phrase, you’ll know it’s more than just a funny saying—it might even be loosely based on nature’s weirdest weather trick.