black over Bill's mothers'

[silly moo]

I know that this is used to describe dark / stormy skies in the distance; but does anybody know where it originated?
I realise this has been asked previously but no explanation ever given.

[Quizmonster]

It means rain is on the way. This saying seems to be more widespread around the country nowadays, but many - including Eric Partridge in his �Dictionary of Catch Phrases' - believe it started life in the East Midlands.  The best explanation I've ever heard as to its origin is the one that suggests the �Bill', �Will' or �William' in the phrase refers to William (Will/Bill) Shakespeare.  He was born in Stratford-on-Avon, to the west of the Midlands and - if the sky is dark and threatening over that area (ie over Bill's mother's) - it means rain is probably headed for the east of the Midlands region, because the prevailing winds are likely to push the wet weather in that direction.

[rilanda]

The answer is more likely to be:- Bill was a very common name in those times, making it very possible that a mother with a son manes Bill could be living under the black cloud that was currently threatening the area.