When did the expression "to rain on one's parade" come into use?

Posted by Woodchuck on December 05, 2002

In Reply to: When did the expression "to rain on one's parade" come into use? posted by Hedda on December 05, 2002

: I have always assumed it was around before it was famously used in a song title for Barbra Streisand in 1964. However, it struck me that since I was not around then, I have nothing to base this assumption on. So, did the saying precede the song, or was it coined by lyricist Bob Merrill?

The "Columbia World Book of Quotations" does indeed attribute the phrase "Who told you you're allowed to rain on my parade?" to Bob Merrill.