Why do they call it the "Dogs days of Summer"?

Answer 1

Where did the expression "Dog Days of Summer" originate?
Most directly, it's a translation of the Latin expression dies caniculares, or "dog days."

The dog days are the hot, sultry part of summer. They are not called this because dogs get lazy or mad when it's hot out, though this is a belief of long standing.

Rather the phrase refers to Sirius, or the Dog Star (in Latin, canicula), which is the brightest star in the constellation Canis major ("the Big Dog") and is also the brightest star in the entire sky. The dog days are the days in which this star rises and sets at about the same time as the sun, which is roughly between early July and late August (which happens to be when the weather is pretty grim in much of the Northern Hemisphere), depending on how one does the calculations.

The expression dog days is also used figuratively to mean 'a period marked by lethargy, inactivity, or indolence'.

Dog days is first recorded in the middle of the sixteenth century, in both senses.

Answer 2

Many years ago, when people lived in the country and houses had porches, during the hottest time of the day neighborhood dogs would look for shade. That was usually under (or even on) a porch. When dogs would seek that shade on a regular basis, people would say, "We're in the dog days of summer."

Answer 3

In the summer, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star. Dog Days of Summer!

Answer 4

"dogs Days" (Latin: di?s canicul?r?s) are the finest, maximum sultry days of summer season. interior the northern hemisphere, they many times fall between early July and early September. interior the southern hemisphere they're many times between January and early March. the quite dates variety very much from region to region, reckoning on variety and climate. dogs Days could also outline a time period or adventure it is totally warm or stagnant, or marked by using boring lack of progression. The call comes from the historic perception that Sirius, also talked about as the dogs megastar, changed into in a roundabout way responsible for the nice and cozy climate.

Answer 5

I don't know. Maybe because were just lazy during the summer like dogs. I'm not sure but that's a good question.

Answer 6

Read "Of Mice and Men" Its an old saying. It refers to the hottest days during the summer.

Answer 7

It comes from the appearance in summer of Sirius- known as the "dog star". oohrah.

Answer 8

I think ~canyon~ is right. I knew it was something celestial, though my first thought was the dog constellations Canus Major and Minor, because they could both be seen at that time, but ~canyon~'s answer sounds correct.

Peace!

Answer 9

Dogs sweat. You feel like a dog?

Answer 10

I think it has to do with "doggone!" Maybe the "dadgum" days of summer will do as well. It's 105 in Dallas! Help!