Origin and meaning of common expressions, proverbs and the like.

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Here's a cool site that explains the meaning and origin of different english expressions: http://www.phrases.org.uk/ It's fun to read these. For instance, the (somewhat speculative) meaning of "it's raining cats and dogs": http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/raining%20cats%20and%20dogs.html One possible origin: "The phrase is supposed to have originated in England in the 17th century when city streets were filthy and heavy rain would occasionally carry along dead animals. The idea that seeing dead cats and dogs floating by in storms would cause people to coin this phrase is just about believable. People may not have actually thought the animals had come from the sky, but might have made up the phrase to suit the occasion."