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Raining cats and dogs
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Raining cats and dogs
Raining cats and dogs. Historical artwork of cats, dogs and pitchforks raining down on people in a town street. The saying raining cats and dogs is used when referring to a heavy downpour of rain. The first recorded use of the phrase raining pitchforks was in 1815 and has largely fallen out of use. This version of George Cruickshanks 1835 etching Very Unpleasant Weather... Raining Cats, Dogs, Pitchforks was published in Picture Magazine in 1894
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Media ID 6431291
© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1835 1894 Caricature Cartoon Historical Artwork History Of Science Horizontal Meteorology Nineteenth Weather Caricatures Cruikshank Pitch Forks
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back in time to witness a truly bizarre and whimsical scene. In this historical artwork by George Cruickshank, we find ourselves standing on a town street during an extraordinary downpour. But this is no ordinary rain shower - it's raining cats and dogs! The phrase "raining cats and dogs" has long been used to describe heavy rainfall, but the addition of pitchforks adds an unexpected twist. Dating back to 1835, this etching titled "Very Unpleasant Weather. . . Raining Cats, Dogs, Pitchforks" showcases the creative imagination of Cruikshank. Published in Picture Magazine in 1894, it became a timeless piece that continues to captivate audiences even today. As we examine the illustration closely, we see people scrambling for cover as felines and canines fall from the sky alongside pitchforks. This comical yet chaotic scene reminds us of how language evolves over time; while "raining cats and dogs" remains popular today, its counterpart "raining pitchforks" has largely fallen out of use since its first recorded mention in 1815. This horizontal cartoon caricature not only offers entertainment but also provides insight into the history of science and meteorology. It serves as a reminder that art can be both educational and amusing simultaneously. So let your imagination run wild with this delightful piece from Science Photo Library!
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