On a rainy day, you’ll often hear someone proclaiming that it’s “good weather for ducks”.
You may hope this means that although we’re getting a soaking when out and about, at least our feathered quacking friends are having a good time.
Unfortunately one potential origin of the expression is actually terrible news for ducks.
Many people who enjoy hunting and shooting ducks regard a little rain as ideal hunting conditions, hence rain is “good for ducks” if you’re a hunter. We’ve had the misfortune of reading duck hunter websites when researching this expression and really don’t want to link you to them.
However, before you promise to never utter the phrase again, a £300k research project identified that ducks actually preferred being under a shower of water than having access to a pool of water.
Alas, the research was for duck farmers. Oh this isn’t going well is it?
We must therefore turn to comedian Billy Connolly for a happy conclusion to proceedings. Rain is good for ducks, because “there’s no such thing as bad weather, there’s only the wrong clothes”.
Our feathered quacking friends come equipped with a fine feathered raincoat, so they’re at least well prepared, even if we aren’t completely sure that they’re loving it.