LL-L 'Etymology' 2006.07.25 (08) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 26 July 2006 * Volume 08
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From: Sandy Fleming <sandy at scotstext.org>
Subject: LL-L 'Etymology' 2006.07.23 (07) [D/E]

>From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
>Subject: Etymology
>
>Latin _Sīrius_ comes from Greek Σείριος _Seirios_ ('glowing one', 'scorcher'),
>denoting the main star (or "dog star") in Canis Maioris ("Great Dog").
>
You must remember that most scientists don't know the first thing about
Latin and write and pronounce it accordingly!

Canis Maioris, as you so correctly write, is actually Canis Major
(pronounced /'kanIs 'me:dZ at r/, at least by Scottish astronomers!) and
since the "Major" is only contrastive (with Canis Minor) it should
probably be translated "The Greater Dog".

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky as viewed from the Solar System,
hence "the scorcher".

Sandy Fleming
http://scotstext.org/

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