'it'll be right as rain'

[darth vader]

i know this is generally a northern (england) phrase to mean 'it'll be OK' but why? what's it got to do with rain?

[xyzzyplugh]

Maybe just alliteration. Weirder than that is a well known phrase 'right as ninepence'. What's that all about?

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-rig1.htm for the answer. (The answer to your query is right there, too, Xyz.)

[darth vader]

thanks both of you - i think, quizmonster, that there's more to it than it just sounding nice (as the weblink suggests) so i'll leave the question open to others' responses. darth

[Quizmonster]

Darth, I think the link-site offers just a bit more than that 'it sounds nice', giving its historical context, its duality of meaning (straight/correct) and the fact that it is but one of a host of similarly daft-sounding examples.

The Oxford English Dictionary - of course, the 'bible' of English phraseology - says much the same about it as the site does...indeed, the earliest quote referring to it on the link-site is taken straight from the dictionary!

As further evidence that there is little more to it than alliteration, one of the earliest 'ninepence' examples from 1659 says: "as fine as fippence, as neat as ninepence", with 'fippence' obviously being a contraction of 'fivepence'. I think you can take it that there's not really much more to it at all.

[darth vader]

...oh go on then have three stars, i think you've earned it
darth

[Quizmonster]

Now, do make sure, Darth, that - if someone does appear with a more elaborate (but sane!) explanation - you immediately tear these new stars from my shoulders and have me drummed out of the Brownies! Cheers

[blackburne]

When the majority of the people lived on the land, rain would often be welcome (within reason) as it helps crops to grow. Seems reasonable to me.

[farid]

i guess it kinda rhymes cos you prononce the same vibration of the Letter R. Right, Rain.....try it