It is only right that this column discusses the origin of the phrase “dog days of summer” as we are currently in those days and have a photo contest by the same name happening right now.
You might think that the name comes from it being so hot that dog will just lie around, but nope! It all has to do with the night sky.
This is the time of year that the dog star, Sirius, looks like it’s rising alongside the sun. Sirius is the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation.
According to a National Geographic article, the ancient Greek and Roman cultures believed that the heat from these two stars rising together caused the hottest days of the year.
NatGeo says that the phrase was translated from Latin to English about 500 years ago. Since then, it’s come to take on other meanings, depending on where you live.
So, don’t forget to give your dogs (and other pets) extra water during these dog days!
creek swimming to cool off
Submitted by Brit Stack 2024 Core Training Graduate