- The hottest, most lethargic period of summer, typically in July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.
Explanation
Origin
- Refers to the period when Sirius, the Dog Star (the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog), rises and sets with the sun.
- Ancient Greeks and Romans believed Sirius added its heat to the sun's, causing the extremely hot weather.
- They associated this period (dies caniculares or 'days of the dog star') with lethargy, fever, thunderstorms, and bad luck.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Scorcher (describes a very hot day)
- Boiling / Roasting
- Sticky season
- Sweatfest
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Hot as hell.
- Hot as balls. (Very vulgar)
- Fucking boiling.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Perfectly acceptable in most casual conversations, weather reports, and informal writing.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might be confused by the literal dog reference if unfamiliar with the astronomical origin.
Examples
- It's hard to get motivated during the dog days of summer.
- We spent the dog days lounging by the pool.
- The city feels deserted during the August dog days.
Dialogue
Alice: Ugh, I feel so drained. These dog days are really getting to me.
Ben: I know what you mean. It's too hot to even think straight. Want to grab an iced coffee?
Alice: Definitely. Anything to cool down.
Social Media Examples
- Instagram caption: Trying to survive the dog days with plenty of ice cream! ☀️🍦 #dogdays #summer #heatwave
- Tweet: Productivity levels hitting zero during these dog days. Send help (and air conditioning). #workfromhome #summerheat
Response Patterns
- Agreement about the heat: Tell me about it! It's unbearable.
- Sharing coping mechanisms: Yeah, I'm just trying to stay inside with the AC.
- Complaining: I can't wait for autumn.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone mentions the dog days:
- Asking how they are coping: How are you surviving the heat?
- Discussing plans to stay cool: Any plans to hit the beach/pool?
- Commenting on the weather forecast: Is it supposed to cool down anytime soon?
Conversation Starter
- Yes. Good for initiating small talk about the weather during summer.
Intonation
- Fairly even stress, perhaps slight emphasis on DOG. DOG days.
- Often spoken with a sigh or sense of heat-induced weariness.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood, perhaps slightly more common among older generations but still current.
Regional Variations
- Used throughout the English-speaking world, tied to the summer season of the specific hemisphere.