make it rain

v. phr. to drop paper money on a crowd of people. Subjects: English, Money & Finance, Slang

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Citations: *2006 MTV.com (Mar. 14) “My Block: Atlanta; Shake That Laffy Taffy: From The Strip Clubs To The Charts” (in Atlanta, Georgia): Frequenting strip clubs in Atlanta, such as Magic City, the Blue Flame, Body Tap and the now-defunct Gentleman’s Club, has become almost a religion, making adult entertainment one of the most profitable businesses in the city—not so surprising when on any given night you might see a big balla like Young Jeezy come into a club and throw 10K in the air (that’s known as “making it rain”). 2006 Richard Fausset @ Atlanta, Georgia Los Angeles Times (Apr. 28) “Naked Hip-Hop Ambition”: From time to time, patrons flung plumes of cash toward the rafters, letting the dollar bills flutter where they may—a ritual known as “making it rain.” It began as a flashy way for big-timers to tip the dancers, but it has evolved into a thing unto itself—a raw display of wealth and power. In Atlanta, the presence of two or three major rap stars in one club can lead to a rainmaking competition, and leave thousands of dollars on the floor. 2007 Jessica Fender Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) (Feb. 26) “Little of $81,000 from strip club is Pacman’s, owner says”: Rob Susnar, co-owner of the new Minxx Gentlemen’s Club and Lounge, Monday questioned initial police reports that put $81,000—supposedly used by Jones to shower 40 strippers in a practice known as “making it rain”—in the hands of the troubled football player about 5 a.m. Feb. 19. Club employees changed $3,500 into singles for the sports star, said Susnar, who was not there himself. 2007 Michael Kaplan @ Las Vegas New York Times (Aug. 26) “Losing Your Shirt, but Not in the Casino”: If that’s not enough, showoffs at Rehab have developed a custom that they call making it rain. “They drop $100 bills from the cabanas up above,” Mr. Pallas says, “and watch the crowd down below go crazy. We have a guy come in every Sunday on his private jet. He stays for the day and makes it rain.”

Posted 27 Aug 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend