DOG DAYS

PRONUNCIATION: (dog dayz)

MEANING: noun:
1. The hottest period of the summer.
2. A period of stagnation, lethargy, inactivity, or decline.

ETYMOLOGY: A translation of Latin dies caniculares (puppy days), from Greek kunades hemarai (dog days), so called because Sirius, the Dog Star, rises and sets with the sun around this time of the year. The ancient Romans and Greeks considered this period unhealthy and unlucky. The star got its name from Greek seirios (scorching). Earliest documented use: 1538.

NOTE: Due to precession (gradual shift in the Earth’s axis of rotation), the dog days have shifted since the time of ancient Romans and Greeks. In about 10,000 years, dog days will fall in winter. Enjoy them while you can.

This may be an apt time to say that astrology should be spelled as b-u-n-k. Things have moved around there since astrology was invented. Constellations ain’t where they used to be. You weren’t born under the zodiac sign you think you were. The fault, dear reader, is not in our stars. Or planets. Jupiter has no effect whatsoever on you. This was a public service announcement. You’re welcome.
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DOG BDAYS - occurring every 52 1/7 days, i.e. seven times a year

DOS DAYS - the time, before Apple Computer presented the Macintosh, when computers ran under a Disk Operating System

DOG DAYO - sung by the animal who controls the rats on a banana boat