Dog days of summer
July 17, 2006
I doubt that any of us feel very guilty about displaying bare arms and legs during July and August any more, but ’twas not always thus. My authority for summertime style is none other than my trusty Forgotten English Calendar. From it I learn that the dog days are named from the rising and setting of Sirius, the Dog Star, and Dog Days have been known since Roman times, occurring from about July 3 through August 11.
Elisabeth Celnart’s The Gentleman and Lady’s Book of Politeness (1855) advised readers not to let scorching conditions cause their manners to lapse: “To suppose that the great heat of weather will authorize disorder of the toilet, and will permit us to go in slippers, or with our legs or arms bare, or to take nonchalant attitudes, is a serious error of persons of a low class or destitute of education. Even the weather of the dog-days would not excuse this, and if we remain thus dressed we must give directions that we are not at home. On the other hand, to think that cold and rainy weather excuses like liberties is equally an error.”
I’ll think about that as I stride down the public sidewalk on my morning walk, attired in grungy shorts and tee, but not much.
Dave, as nonchalant as they come this time of year.
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My how times have changed! I see lots of bare arms and legs these days. We’re in a mega heat wave here in St. Louie this week - triple digits all week. We must have brought it back from Iowa!
Mega heat wave indeed. I’m in Tulsa at the moment, which at least has the advantage of lower humidity, but it’s a real oven. I don’t think you brought it back from Iowa, though.
i shivered in the cold breeze today around noon, i dont know what you guys are talking about.