The Dog Days of Summer

Summer is certainly a time for procrastinating, and I’ve managed to put off writing this column until the absolute last minute. As I write this, the deadline for the September issue is today, August 10th. I try to write something mildly relevant to the month in which the column appears—but it doesn’t always happen, and this is one of those occasions.

As I ponder a subject, I realize I am overjoyed by the fact that these “dog days of summer” come to an end tomorrow—or at least that’s what my research says.

According to a reliable internet source, the “Dog Days of Summer” run from July 3rd through August 11th. So tomorrow, dear reader, is going to be the last day of this dreadfully hot and humid weather that has tormented us for far too long. Hurrah! As much as I hope that will be the case, my phone’s weather app tells an entirely different story.

But how did this phrase come about? Once again, I consult the internet. The expression has its origins in ancient astronomy. Sirius, known as the Dog Star because it sits in the constellation Canis Major—the Greater Dog—was believed to rise and set alongside the sun during this time of year. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed this celestial phenomenon contributed to the intense summer heat.

Interestingly, the Greek name for Sirius, Seirios, translates to “scorching.” The Romans called this sweltering stretch diēs caniculārēs, meaning “days of the Dog Star,” which eventually became our “dog days.”

Ancient superstition also blamed Sirius for drought, fever, lethargy, and bad luck. None of which can factually be blamed on the Dog Star—except maybe the lethargy!

So, there you have it: the explanation of the “dog days of summer.” And I truly hope that by the time you’re reading this, those dog days are behind us, and we’ve been rewarded with cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and gentle rains.

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