The devil is beating his wife

Posted by David FG on October 26, 2005

In Reply to: The devil is beating his wife posted by ESC on October 25, 2005

: : : My Grandmother used a phrase (well actually she had many), "The devil is beating his wife." A phrase used when it is raining and the sun is shining at the same time. Anyone. Bueller. Anyone. ?
: : Well in Hungary that is (was?)known as "a gypsy's wedding".

: From the archives:

: devil is whipping his wife -- Said when it rains while the sun is shining; the rain is supposed to represent the tears of the devil's wife.
: From _The Facts on File Dictionary of Regionalisms_ by Robert Hendrickson

A friend of mine uses the phrase 'a monkey's birthday' to mean the same thing. No idea why.

DFG