What You Need To Know
- It originated from the ancient Greeks and Romans
- The phrase refers to the star Sirius
- The dog days last from July 3 to August 11
The Origins of the Phrase
Summer can be ruff with soaring temperatures that leave us panting for relief. Some people call the worst of the heat "the dog days of summer." But where did this phrase come from?
Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, which is Latin for "greater dog." The ancient Greeks and Romans noticed that during the heart of summer, this star rose and set with the sun. They theorized that having another star in the sky, along with our own sun, is what made the summer months so hot.
The Star Sirius
Sirius is a massive star that is double the size of our sun and 25 times as bright. Thankfully, it’s much farther away from Earth than our own sun, otherwise we’d be dealing with serious heat! Sirius appears often in Greek mythology, including references in Homer’s "The Iliad."
The Phrase "Dog Days of Summer"
The word Sirius translates as "scorching" or "glowing," which is appropriate for the heat of summer. The phrase "dog days of summer" was translated from Latin to English about 500 years ago. Some people think "dog days" refers to man’s best friend’s tendency to lounge around during the summer heat, but now you know the real meaning behind the phrase.
Dog Days of Winter?
Although the star Sirius appeared in the early morning sky to the ancient Greeks and Romans shortly after the summer solstice, it now has shifted to mid-August. In about 13,000 years, the star will shift to rising with the sun in the middle of winter. This is because of the wobbly movement of the Earth on its path around the sun each year.
Conclusion
So the next time you’re sweating in the heat of summer, remember that it’s not just the sun’s fault. Sirius, the bright star in the constellation Canis Major, is also to blame. Who knows, maybe in the future we’ll experience a "dog days of winter" – a phrase that will surely set tails wagging!
FAQs
Q: What is the origin of the phrase "dog days of summer"?
A: The phrase originated from the ancient Greeks and Romans, who noticed that the star Sirius rose and set with the sun during the hottest part of the summer.
Q: What does the phrase "dog days" refer to?
A: The phrase "dog days" does not refer to man’s best friend’s tendency to lounge around during the summer heat, but rather to the star Sirius.
Q: How long do the "dog days of summer" last?
A: The "dog days of summer" last from July 3 to August 11.
