The Solar Term of Great Heat, also known as the Dog Days, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and marks the peak of summer. It is a time when temperatures soar, and the sun reigns supreme. English language has a wealth of phrases and sayings that capture the essence of this steamy season. Here, we delve into some of the most intriguing expressions related to the Solar Term of Great Heat.
1. “Dog Days of Summer”
This is perhaps the most well-known phrase associated with the Great Heat. It dates back to ancient Rome, where the “dog days” were thought to be the hottest and most sultry days of the year, when the dog would pant excessively due to the heat.
2. “Heatwave”
A heatwave is a prolonged period of abnormally high temperatures, often exceeding the average maximum temperature for a particular area by 5°C or more. During a heatwave, phrases like “bake in the heat” or “sweltering heat” come into play.
3. “Sweat it out”
This idiom refers to enduring a difficult situation or working hard in hot weather. It suggests that one is overcoming a challenge through sheer perseverance, much like sweating through a tough workout in the summer sun.
4. “Sizzling hot”
Sizzling hot is a vivid way to describe something that is extremely hot, often used to describe the scorching summer days.
5. “Roast in the oven”
This phrase is used to describe the feeling of being extremely hot, like a piece of meat being roasted in an oven.
6. “Blistering hot”
Blistering hot is another term for describing the intense heat of summer. It suggests that the heat is so overwhelming that it can actually cause blisters.
7. “Thick as syrup”
When the air is as thick as syrup, it’s a metaphorical way of saying it’s incredibly hot and humid, making the air feel heavy and sticky.
8. “Summer in a bottle”
This phrase is used to describe a place that is incredibly beautiful or pleasant, despite the hot summer weather. It implies that the place offers a slice of summer perfection, even amidst the heat.
9. “Fry an egg on the sidewalk”
This is a phrase used to describe an extremely hot day. It suggests that the heat is so intense that you could literally fry an egg on the sidewalk without any problem.
10. “Wet your whistle”
When the temperature is soaring, people often find themselves thirsty. Wetting one’s whistle is an old-fashioned way of saying to quench one’s thirst, whether it’s with water, a cold drink, or an ice-cold beer.
The Solar Term of Great Heat may be a time when the mercury rises and the air grows thick with humidity, but the English language offers a colorful array of phrases and sayings that help us express and cope with the sweltering summer heat.