Why do people talk about "hard rain"? How can rain be "hard", since it is only water?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

gmatthewb · 51-55, M

Do a belly flop in a pool some times and tell me how soft water is...

I think the hard rain phrase is another way of saying raining hard or a lot of rain in a short time.

SW-User

@gmatthewb "heavy rain" could be the equivalent that you're thinking of.

Edit: Which could be made up of heavy water. 😛

gmatthewb · 51-55, M

@SW-User Yes. Like a lot of phrases, people say them but get it wrong without knowing. The rest of us tend not to point it out because it isn't worth correcting them.

SW-User

@gmatthewb Preeeeecisely.

NankerPhelge · 61-69, M

@SW-User I've known since I was little that water is heavy. Pick up an empty bucket and it weighs next to nothing. Pick up a bucket full of water and you will soon notice the difference. Lol :)

SW-User

@NankerPhelge I was thinking deuterium oxide. 😉

NankerPhelge · 61-69, M

@SW-User I was thinking of just water, not oxed water. Lol :)