Monday 24 July 2023

The Cerberus Heatwave

That's what Italians are calling their current
scorching summer heatwave in excess of 40ºC.

It's a fitting reference to classical Roman/Greek mythology.
Cerberus is the three-headed dog who guards
the gates of Hell (well, technically, the gates of Hades).

Cerberus doesn't guard the gates against people
trying to get in, of course, but against people trying to get out.

There is no escape from Hell/Hades,
and similarly none from the heatwave!

So while Cerberus is having his 15 minutes of fame
in the 21st century, here's a meme tribute
to everyone's favourite big slavering hellhound!









No one is entirely sure what the name"Cerberus" means.
According to Wikipedia, possible interpretations
include "flesh-devouring" and "evil of the pit."

What is NOT correct, alas, is the following
internet meme saying it means "Spot."

Too bad. I liked that particular bit of whimsy!


42 comments:

angela said...

It doesn’t matter what kind of dog, or what the name means
It’s way to hot.
Hades should just shut the door and keep all that heat to himself

Frank said...

I recall that my grandma had a small planter on the front porch that was the body of a dog with three heads. The philodendron in it was alive but never really grew.

Travel said...

Just play music and Fluffy goes right to sleep. (we will see if anyone gets the literary reference.)

Bob said...

"The Gates of Heck"

Down here it's not so much the heat as it is the stupidity, er, humidity. Luckily we got some rain last night so it's a wee bit cooler this morning.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Hahaha. I love that Cerebus' name means Spot!

Old Lurker said...

Was Hades supposed to be hot? I was under the impression that it was supposed to be cold, but what do I know from Greek?

How could anyone propose dachshunds as the model for Cerberus? They are so friendly.. uh.. and well behaved... uh.. Willym help me out here?

I am in awe of your meme gathering skills. Your hard drive must be like Fafnir's hoard.

Janie Junebug said...

We are in hell in Florida for more reasons than the heat.

Love,
Janie

Sixpence Notthewiser said...

OMG It has been HOT in Italy! I cannot imagine what that's gonna do to all the marine life. Yikes!

The Clifford memes made me laugh. Same as that last one! And he IS a dog of legend.

XOXO

Marcia LaRue said...

We are looking at a day of 100° or more this Monday morning 🌄! I think your blog subject has come to visit S. Colorado!! 🥵

Boud said...

Good old Cerberus! I love the tossing three balls panel.

Tundra Bunny said...

If Cerberus/Kerberos means spotted dog, perhaps Hades had a three-headed Dalmation? Perhaps that's why Dalmations are associated with fire engines and fire fighters...

The Captain said...

None of that heat is with us in the UK at the moment. In fact it just stopped raining after a week.

Parnassus said...

I like Frank's grandmother! We need more like her.
--Jim

Mistress Maddie said...

I only hope the heat break in Italy before our upcoming trip in late summer early fall.

The Dachshund one crack me up, only because I've had three dachshunds and they sure do act like Cerberus !!!

Iris Flavia said...

And we´re freezing over here, I wear long clothes...
I like the name Spot :-)

Mike said...

Looking at Cerberus on Google Translate came up with brain. All other searches for variations got nothing.

Marcia LaRue said...

Harry Potter ...

e said...

These are funny, D! The dachshund got a guffaw (so true! they are devil dogs!) and the gate to heck got an 'aww'. Also loved Clifford and his new friend.
Top quality memes!

G. B. Miller said...

Cerberus is indestructible, but overall a very good trio of boys. Imagine the fun you would have when you announce that you're home from work.

Marie Smith said...

Too bad the Spot story isn’t true. It sure would reframe that name!

John M said...

It seems like a friendly dog to me.

roentare said...

This is such a unique theme with humours.

Mr. Shife said...

I can sniff three butts at once!
Surprise, surprise but that is the one that made me laugh the most.
I am such a child sometimes.
Thanks for sharing all of the Cerberus info.

JM said...

Hmmm..now I wonder what kind of dog Cerberus is supposed to be?

Joanne Noragon said...

Who knew? I didn't. Spot it is.

Busy Bee Suz said...

There was some learning happening in this informative post, but also me giggling at the three-headed wiener dog. ;)

The Happy Whisk said...

The shopping at the pet store. OMG on those three cute little pups.

Kirk said...

Better a dog with three heads than three asses.

Adam said...

I actually have seen Republicans try to say this is the coldest summer on record. Conservative delusions are absolutely hilarious but damning

This N That said...

I have another name for it..I think this is going to be our summer of the future..We'll never "get it"!!I suspect the damage is done..
Interesting post.One body...three heads..which came first??

Liz Hinds said...

I'm definitely sticking with Spot now!

Liz Hinds said...

Harry Potter is ringing my bell for Fluffy.

Susan Kane said...

Cerberus? That is a dog of many dogs. They must have some real wrestling to get to the food bowl.

Lady M said...

We have a fine brewery name Cerberus that serves a good beer.

Richard said...

I applied for an interview with one of those Horses, you know, the ones the Apocalypse rode in on, but the request was denied. Confidential sources, and all that. They did not want to talk about Kerebros, or even acknowledge his existence.
Once again, I am left to do my own research.

Emily said...

We have a fine brewery name Cerberus that serves a good beer.
ភ្នាល់បាល់​ អនឡាញ

baili said...

the kind of people he is guarding for is concerning lol

40c sounds too much for Italy ,i feel for them and all others who are under the heat wave including us but hey we are pretty used to 40 God forbid

Alison said...

Thank you! Someone who isn't predicting we are all going to spontaneously combust. Well, not in this country. We are on the North side of the jet stream. Hades and his mutt Spot would hate it.

Richard said...

Dear Baili, we are also used to 40° but that doesn't mean we like it! I am worried about our tourists. They are not accustomed to these conditions. We are anxious for their safety.

Ur-spo said...

BOO ! I was rushing down the entry to get to the comment about how Cerebeus is basically 'Spot' and lo! there it is.

Martha said...

The last one about Cerebeus basically having the name 'Spot' is hilarious!

Rommy said...

I didn't know I needed a Cerberus and Clifford crossover until now. The biggest buddy film of all time.