Dies Caniculares

I happened across today’s M-W Word of the Day, canicular, meaning “of or relating to the dog days.” I don’t recall having heard it before although I did know that this part of summer is called the dog days because it is when the dog star (in the constellation Orion) rises in the northern hemisphere. [I really did know that, I'm totally Sirius. Um, you knew I was going to put that in here somewhere, right?]

I also know that “ineffable” does not refer to someone you would not have sex with. Sort of sounds like it should though, doesn’t it? What it really does mean… I can’t say. But I write that with unspeakable joy. [smirk] Or not. This post is supposed to be about dog days and being lazy. But I’m too lazy to stay on topic.

I’m facing the new school year with mounting trepidation. [Do we ever refer to trepidation when it is not mounting? Is it wrong that "mounting" is making me think of effing? So what are the odds my job is getting more effed up?] I think there was a scene in the sitcom Cheers where Norm walks into the bar [did you just hear everybody yell, "Norm!"?] and someone asks, “How’s life treating you?” And he answers, “Like life is a dog and I’m a fire hydrant.” But I just checked two pages of quotes from the show and neither includes that exchange. [Doesn't mean I'm wrong, right?] I did find these:

Norm: It’s a dog-eat-dog world, Sammy, and I’m wearing Milkbone underwear.

and

Coach: How’s life treating you Norm?
Norm: Like I ran over its dog.

And that reminds me of this, but I have no recollection of where or when I first heard it:

My karma ran over my dogma.

And that, tangentially [which seems to be the only way my brain works when t works at all these (dog) days], reminds me of this: