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Old Time Sayings

    What are the dog days of summer? We have all heard the phrase, but what does it really mean? Where did it originate from? Well glad you asked!   July 3 officially marks the beginning of the dog days of summed, a period when the northern hemisphere typically experiences its warmest weather. The phrase has nothing to do with our canine companions.

    This period stretches from July 3 to August 11, historically coinciding with the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius known as the "Dog Star"! Sirius is associated with heat, drought, thunderstorms, fever and bad luck. Just look around Manitoba these days to see if it fits the description?

     The ancient Greeks linked this time to midsummer when Sirius was visible in the morning sky alongside the sun. When they observed this celestial event, they knew it was time for sweltering heat and all that comes with it.  In baseball, the dog days of summer describe the gruelling midsummer stretch from July through August.

    It marks the hottest, most humid period of the season when baseball players face the mental and physical fatigue after grinding through a long hot summer. It is even tougher for teams that are not in the playoff hunt and sometimes the tempers flare and we see the old bench clearing brawls. The heat is upon us, enjoy it while you can, summer is not that long!