“Now came the dog days–day after day of hot, still summer, when for hours at a time light seemed the only thing that moved; the sky-sun, clouds and breeze-awake above the drowsing downs.” ~ Watership Down, by Richard Adams, English author b.1920- d.2016
We have hit the hottest and most unbearable days of the summer season. Sometimes this time of year is called the “Dog Days” of summer. Maybe you’ve wondered where the expression originated. Some people think it’s a reference to the hot, sultry days that are “not fit for a dog.” Others suggest it’s the time of year when the extreme heat drives dogs mad. Neither are true. But where does the term come from? And what does it have to do with dogs? Surprise! It is about the stars!
The phrase refers to Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is the brightest star visible in the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun. On July 23rd, specifically, it is in conjunction with the Sun, and because the star is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it actually gave off heat and added to the Sun’s warmth, accounting for the long stretch of sultry weather. They referred to this alignment of Sirius with the Sun from July 3 to August 11 each year time as diēs caniculārēs, Latin for “dog days.” Thus, late summer became the Dog Days of Summer. While this period usually is the hottest stretch of summer, the heat is not due to any added radiation from Sirius. The heat of summer is simply a result of the Earth’s tilt. During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the tilt of the Earth causes the Sun’s rays to hit at a more direct angle, and for a longer period of time throughout the day. This means longer, hotter days. Source: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/why-are-they-called-dog-days-of-summer-21705
What do the Dog Days of summer mean to you? They can mean finishing your reading challenges and coming to your libraries to collect your prizes. Maybe you are just trying to stay cool. Your library is a good place for that too. There are games, puzzles, movies, magazines, and lots of books. Check us out. Free with a library card.
“When the hot days come… they might remember that those are the dog days, and leave a little water outside… like they do for the horses” ~ The Bar Sinister, by R.H. Davis, American author b.1864 – d.1916.