Dogs have been a part of human life for centuries, which has led to phrases that are already part of our cultural legacy. All these expressions have their origin in certain stories, legends or facts, which are worth knowing. In this article we summarize some of them.
"It makes a dog day"
His birth is related to astronomy and refers to "Sirius", a star of the constellation Canis Maior (Can Mayor, the dog star). In ancient times it was believed that this star was related to the hottest days, that is, with summer. This summer period was known by the name of "dog days", in reference to dogs, which over the years came to be known in popular language as "dog days".
Curiously, nowadays this expression is associated more with stormy and cold days. Or also to the negative days, regardless of the weather conditions.
"The dog is man's best friend"
This expression dates back to the year 1870, when the American farmer Charles Burden denounced his neighbor for murdering his greyhound, named Old drum. I'd be this Missouri farmer's attorney George Graham Vest, who coined this expression during his speech at the trial: "The only, absolute and best friend that man has in this selfish world, the only one who is not going to betray or deny him, is his dog." These words served to move the jury, who sentenced the murderer, Leonidas Hornsby to pay $ 550. Until then, the maximum penalty for animal abuse was only $ 150.
The process was not easy. Charles burden he was teased on more than one occasion and even lost the first trial, but he appealed until he took the case to the State Court. His victory marked a before and after for the development of animal rights in the United States; therefore, a statue was erected in honor of this mythical greyhound in the vicinity of the Missouri County Courthouse (second image).
"Nights of three dogs"
The exact origin of this is unknown phrase, because it is doubted if it was born in Australia or was minted by the North American Eskimos. It refers to the low night temperatures, because in nature dogs sleep together to provide warmth. Legend has it that this expression comes from a real event, when three dogs helped a man avoid frostbite by wrapping him with their own bodies.
"Work like a dog"
Although nowadays the dog is more well considered as a companion animal, for decades it mainly fulfilled functions of herding, tracking, carrying, shooting, hunting, etc. Hence the birth of this cliché, which, although it does not make much sense today, is still very popular.