No, “Dog Days of Summer” doesn't refer to thestring of blockbuster megaflops Hollywood pumped out thisseason.
The term actually derives from ancient Rome when, before theprecession of the equinoxes gradually changed things, the brighteststar in the night sky (“Sirius,” a.k.a. the “Dog Star”) rose aboutthe same time as the sun. This generally occurred from late July tolate August during the height of the hot, humid Mediterraneansummer. Life slowed down to a standstill.
While the Earth's precession has shifted Sirius' rise with thesun by about a month, the effect of “Dog Days” remains today. Infact, Italy still honors the Roman tradition of taking the month ofAugust off. Business (except for that related to tourism) windsdown to a standstill. Even our own government leaves the capitalduring the hottest months of summer. Legislation, regulatorydevelopment and the usual shenanigans virtually stop, leavingpolitical reporters with their thumbs twiddling.
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