Raining stair-rods

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Raining stair rods'?

Raining stair rods means ‘aining very heavily’.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Raining stair rods'?

This is a colloquial North of England expression. Stair-rods are the metal rods that hold stair-carpets in place on each step. The allusion is to rain which is so heavy as to appear like falling stair-rods.

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