Y'all know about Dog Days, right? Those sticky, steamy summer days where there is no such thing as a good-hair day, and just breathing leaves you sapped and soggy? Well, I'd say they've come to these parts early this year. Suddenly it's hot with the rat-drenching humidity typical of "Dog Days", and outdoor interests are quickly cast aside for the comfort of air conditioning.
As the humidity rose, I began to wonder where Dog Days originated, and why we use our canine friends to describe such beastly conditions. Dog Days, as we know them here in the South, normally begin about the time we are cranking up for the Fourth of July, and are the hottest, most humid days of the summer. The phrase Dog Days comes from Sirius, or the Dog star. Ancient beliefs hold that this star, second only in brightness to the sun, was the cause of this miserably hot weather. Also, at that time Dog Days were thought to be evil, causing the seas to boil, wine to turn sour, and bring on burning fevers and hysterics in man. In those days, Romans would sacrifice a dog to appease Sirius in hopes of getting relief from the heat.
The OId Farmers Almanac shows Dog Days to be the period of 40 days from July 3 through August 11. It's not even officially summer in our part of the world. Have the miseries of Dog Days struck your area yet?
As the humidity rose, I began to wonder where Dog Days originated, and why we use our canine friends to describe such beastly conditions. Dog Days, as we know them here in the South, normally begin about the time we are cranking up for the Fourth of July, and are the hottest, most humid days of the summer. The phrase Dog Days comes from Sirius, or the Dog star. Ancient beliefs hold that this star, second only in brightness to the sun, was the cause of this miserably hot weather. Also, at that time Dog Days were thought to be evil, causing the seas to boil, wine to turn sour, and bring on burning fevers and hysterics in man. In those days, Romans would sacrifice a dog to appease Sirius in hopes of getting relief from the heat.
The OId Farmers Almanac shows Dog Days to be the period of 40 days from July 3 through August 11. It's not even officially summer in our part of the world. Have the miseries of Dog Days struck your area yet?
Fascinating post, we use the same expression here but I was never aware of its interesting, historical meaning. In England, we don't usually get this unbearable heat, but every couple of years we get a heatwave around late July/August time. And you're so right...the heat is truly stifling! Lounging in a cool, air-conditioned room with an ice cold glass of juice is the best healer I find :D
ReplyDeleteSam- Thank you for visiting here. I suspect that places that usually have mild climates suffer more with the heat and humidity than those that experience it every summer.
ReplyDeleteI spent time in the Northern US during the summers while growing up, and it was usually mild during the day and cooler at night. When it did get hot, it was HOT and no A/C.