PHRASES: We recently took a look at some phrases in the English language that have lost context over time, and could be pretty confusing.

One of those was “raining cats and dogs.” What in the world?

In our initial review, it turned out that no one really knows where that one came from. Theories range from a mishearing, to a myth, to a compliment on a well-built roof, one that could withstand such a pummeling.

But Mahlon Davenport of Port Allegany, longtime contributor in the construction trade, called to offer an alternative.

He explained that in years past, houses were built to be lower in the back. This allowed dogs and cats to gain access to the roof, which were often metal or tile. They became slippery when it rained, thus causing it to “rain cats and dogs.”

Seems reasonable enough to us.

Another curious expression, Mr. Davenport noted, is “dead as a doornail.” He observed the phrase appears in two notable literary works, Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part 2” and Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

There’s a plausible explanation, we think, regarding the construction of well-built wooden doors. The nails used were long enough to not only securely join the boards, but to then be bent back over into the wood. Difficult to then pull back out, the nail was said to be “dead.”

Wrapping up our phone conversation, double-checking spelling and whatnot, we realized that we really like Mahlon’s name. It’s not one we’ve heard much, if at all.

He told us that while there had been a boy with the same name in his class, he now believes he’s the only Mahlon in the United States. At one point there was another, in San Diego, but Mr. Davenport said he thinks the Californian passed away.

He further reminded us that Mahlon is a biblical name — he was Ruth’s first husband, a Judean immigrant.