Slightly lateral, but I finally found out the meaning of "Dog Days of Summer" yesterday. I am probably the last to find out, but in case there's anyone in the queue behind me, it relates to the rising of the Dog Star, which rises in the northern hemishpere in June (I think).

Dave, you ancient traveller of sea and star, put me right, so I can hang the Dog Star in my rigging on those balmy nights off Blakeney.

All the best

Skipjack