Where does the saying "raining cats and dogs" come from?

Answer by  deadpool809 (38)

The phrase originates from a few centuries ago, when rural communities had thatched rooves that cats, dogs, and other animals could crawl into during extreme weather for shelter. When it rained hard enough (raining cats and dogs), the thatch would slip, and the animals would be washed out and fall onto the ground.

Answer by  Sarah93 (40)

Apparently in medieval times, peasants had straw thatched roofs which let in rain when it rained hard. The dogs and cats would stay near the roof in the loft, but run down when it got too wet for them to stay up. Thus came the term raining cats and dogs.