Life in the 1500s was difficult, with few modern conveniences. People bathed infrequently and shared bathwater, leading to the spread of disease. Animals like cats and dogs lived in thatched roofs and sometimes fell inside homes, resulting in sayings about rain. Food like pea porridge was often left cooking for days. The wealthy had slate floors while the poor lived in dirt, and leading to expressions about being "dirt poor." Many customs and sayings originated from challenges of daily life during this time period.