"as right as rain"

Posted by Joel on January 11, 2000

In Reply to: "As right as rain" posted by Derek Elliott on January 04, 2000

: Any suggestions on the origins of this phrase.

Derek: It occurred to me that very many of our common phrases and sayings come from a time, not long ago, when the majority of people in the U.S. and Europe still lived in contact with nature. Only a couple of generations ago, most agriculature depended on rain, since irrigation was not so prevalent. The life of everyone in society (or in the nearby village or town opr city) depended on the success of the local crops, which in turn depended on spring and summer rains. Rain was essential to survival. No crops equalled famine.

"Right as rain" just means needed, appropriate, essential, or hoped-for.