Monday, July 31, 2006


Dogs Get the Blame



Pension risk is serious stuff so this author has been reluctant to post anything "cute" or "funny", instead opting to write about topics that resonate with our readers. From the feedback and tremendous growth in visits, we seem to be on the right track. In fact, the list of topics we want, and plan, to address is huge and continues to grow.

As a humble thank you to this blog's readers, please permit a bit of whimsey as a quick diversion. The inspiration? Almost everyone in pension land (hedge fund land too) seems to be insanely busy this summer. Instead of thoughts about languorous vacation days stretching into balmy nights, it's more about taking an expresso break as a way to get a few minutes in the sunshine, walking to and from the office.

So perhaps it is not surprising that quirky facts and bits of knowledge make for a welcome respite. Talking about the hot, muggy weather with a colleague, we spent several minutes debating the genesis of the expression "dog days of summer". In taking yet another minute or two to research (in lieu of that aforementioned expresso break), the conclusion was that more than a few popular idioms involve dogs.

Here are some examples.

1. We're going to the dogs.

2. This is a dog-eat-dog world.

3. You'll end up in the doghouse.

4. He is sick as a dog.

5. This investment is a dog.

6. He leads a dog's life.

7. I've been working like a dog.

8. It's raining cats and dogs.

9. Every dog has its day.

10. Her bark is worse than her bite.

11. Let sleeping dogs lie.

12. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

To dog lovers everywhere, hang in there. We don't mean any harm. We're in search of a quick smile.

Now back to work ...
posted by Susan Mangiero at 7/31/2006 07:28:00 PM