As the scorching heat of summer intensifies, let’s dig into the fascinating history behind the term “Dog Days of Summer” and uncover its ancient origins:
The hot topic here at the Veggie-Bed is the extreme heat (pun intended). It’s been so hot that Lucy Lou has said the heck with chasing varmints. As for myself, the weeds can wait. So, with the “Dog Days of Summer” bearing down upon us, let’s talk about the origin of these dog days.
The “Dog Days of Summer” refer to the hottest and most sultry days of the year, typically between July 3 and August 11. The term has ancient origins and is linked to the star Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, part of the Canis Major constellation.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the Dog Days were believed to be a time of drought, bad luck, and unrest, when dogs and people would be driven mad by the extreme heat. The Greeks noticed that the hottest part of summer coincided with when Sirius rose and set with the sun. They believed that the combined heat from Sirius and the sun caused the extreme temperatures.
The Romans adopted this belief and referred to this period as “dies caniculares” or “days of the dog star”. Over time, the term evolved and spread to other cultures, eventually becoming known in English as the “Dog Days.” Today, the phrase is used to describe the peak of summer’s heat and humidity without the ominous connotations it once had.
So, with this dubious time in full swing, we will sit back in a cool spot, have some cold lemonade, and hope bad luck stays at bay.
Photo by: Tom Myrick
Written by: Tom Myrick
About the Writer/Photographer: Tom Myrick
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