Dog days of summer
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
The hottest, most oppressive part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, often associated with lethargy or a seasonal lull. The exact dates vary by place and tradition.
Origin
The expression is astronomical, not a reference to dogs becoming lazy or overheated. Greek and Roman traditions associated the fiercest summer heat with the heliacal rising of Sirius, the brightest star in Canis Major and therefore the Dog Star. Latin dies caniculares, 'dog days,' passed into English; related English wording is recorded from the late 14th century and 'dog days' from the 16th century. Because the apparent rising of Sirius varies with latitude and has shifted over time, modern fixed date ranges are conventional rather than universal.
Research Sources
Variants
- Dog days
- The dog days
Usage Examples
- The city opens extra cooling centres during the dog days of summer.
- Ticket sales often slow during the dog days, when much of the audience is away.
- By the dog days of summer, the garden needed watering every evening.