Rain Cats and Dogs"的构型理据探源

A Probe into the Configuration of "Rain Cats and Dogs

英语成语"raincatsanddogs"(下倾盆大雨或下猫狗雨)的构型理据多少年来一直让英语爱好者感到茫然不解。《布留沃英文成语与寓言词典》等几部权威辞书对此给出几种构型理据,但还不确切。在引用相关原始资料基础上,最终大体揭示出成语"raincatsanddogs"埋藏已久的理据真相。

The configuration of the English idiom 'rain cats and dogs'(it means 'rain heavily')has been puzzling the English learners for years. Such authoritative dictionaries as Paul Beale. A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English have offered several explanations of its configuration, but they are not accurate. On the basis of the quotation of the relevant original data, this article generally reveals the configuration truth of this idiom which has been hidden for a long time.