Where did they come up with the term “dog days of summer”? When I was a kid, I thought it referred to the fact that it was so hot we all walked around panting like a dog. It was only as an adult that I came to find that it is a blend of astronomy (Canis Major was bright in the sky over ancient Greece), mythology (ancient cultures thought the heat drove dogs mad), and linguistic tradition. I still like my explanation better. Whatever the reason for the term, the dog days of summer also mean fewer tourists and local restaurants offering deals to lure us from the comfort of our air-conditioned homes.
