In Germanic mythology cats were associated with storms and rain, whereas dogs were attendants of Odin the storm god and were symbols of the winds. Ergo, raining cats and dogs means you have a lot of wind (the dogs’ department) and rain (the cats’ bailiwick).
Now, I’m not an expert on Norse mythology, but I am pretty well read on the subject. Where does Cecil get the association of Odin and storms, etc? I’ve never read anything like that. Odin is associated with warriors, magic, Ragnarok, etc. Thor is associated with storms, etc. Could Cecil please provide a cite for this association?
I’d heard the expression was related to the idea that when cats and dogs go at it, there’s a lot of noise and ruckuss and a lot of cleaning up afterwards. Thus raining cats and dogs would be raining hard enough to make a lot of noise and a big mess.
You may have caught something there, Freyr. Odin’s article in Encyclopedia Mythica makes no mention of any relationship between Odin and storms (no mention of Odin as a god of storms, rain, lightning, thunder, etc.). Same deal with this article in Encarta.
Well, I just got through talking with the b/f, Charles, who is nearly an expert on Norse mythology. He mentions that one of Odin’s earlier aspects was the God of winds. However, he does question the association of dogs and Odin. There could be an association with Odin and wolves, but not dogs.
Again, I beg of The Master, Cecil; could we see a cite for this?
The book’s complete title is The Weather Companion: An Album of Meteorological History, Science, Legend, and Folklore. That ought to tell you something.