Andy Montoya
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a long-standing joke for centuries, with references to the notion appearing in medieval fables, Renaissance literature, and modern media. While it is unlikely that anyone ever seriously believed the moon to be composed of dairy, the joke has persisted and evolved over time, even inspiring scientific discussions and April Fool's Day pranks. The notion that the moon is made of cheese has become a symbol of extreme credulity, with the phrase green cheese referring to new or fresh cheese, rather than the color.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of the myth | A medieval Slavic fable in which a ravenous wolf chases a fox, who convinces the wolf that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese. |
| Earliest record | The Proverbs of John Heywood, 1546 |
| Common usage | The phrase came into common usage in the mid-16th century and was used to refer to human gullibility. |
| Scientific basis | None; the scientific community has never supported the claim. |
| Pop culture references | Tom and Jerry, Wallace and Gromit, NASA's 2002 April Fool's Day joke, A Grand Day Out |
| Moon rock seismic velocity | 1.2–1.9 km/s, which is within the range of popular cheeses like Muenster, Cheddar, and Provolone. |
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What You'll Learn
The moon's seismic velocity is similar to green cheese
The Moon's seismic velocity, or the speed at which shockwaves travel through it, is indeed similar to that of green cheese. Moon rocks exhibit seismic velocities ranging from 1.2 to 1.9 km/s, which is within the range found in popular cheeses like Muenster, Cheddar, and Provolone. This unique seismic velocity is a result of the Moon's extensive history of impacts, which have blasted lunar rocks apart and fused the remnants back together.
The idea that the Moon is made of cheese has been a popular notion in folklore and literature for centuries. One of the earliest records of this idea is a medieval Slavic fable in which a fox tricks a wolf into believing that the Moon's reflection on a pond is a floating block of cheese. The wolf drinks all the water, hoping to reach the cheese, but eventually drinks too much and bursts. This fable has variations in many cultures, including Serbia, Scotland, Turkey, and Zululand.
The phrase "the Moon is made of green cheese" became a popular proverb in 16th- and 17th-century English literature, often used to refer to someone's gullibility. For example, in 1638, the English natural philosopher John Wilkins wrote, "you may ... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese, (as we say)." The phrase may have originated in 1546, in "The Proverbs of John Heywood."
Despite the persistent cultural references to the Moon being made of cheese, scientists have never supported this claim. Theoretical physicist Sean M. Carroll has stated that our knowledge of the universe contradicts this hypothesis. However, the Moon's seismic velocity has been used as an example of how certain arguments, despite appearing convincing, can be deficient upon closer examination.
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A medieval Slavic fable about a fox and a wolf chasing a reflection of the moon
It is unlikely that anyone ever truly believed the Moon was made of cheese, but the idea has persisted for millennia. The earliest record of this notion can be found in a medieval Slavic fable, which features a ravenous wolf and a crafty fox.
In this tale, the wolf relentlessly chases the fox, hoping for an easy meal. The fox, however, is not one to be caught so easily. Using its cunning, it devises a plan to outwit its pursuer. Upon spotting the moon's reflection on a tranquil pond, the fox concocts a deception that could save its life. With convincing words, it persuades the wolf that the shimmering image is not merely a reflection but a delectable block of cheese floating on the water's surface. The fox then proposes a challenge: if the wolf wants the cheese, it must drink all the water in the pond.
Driven by hunger, the wolf begins to guzzle down the water, cup by cup, in its eagerness to reach the tempting treat. Unbeknownst to the wolf, the fox has orchestrated this elaborate ruse to lead its pursuer into a trap. As the wolf continues to drink, its belly swells, and it becomes slower and slower. Finally, just as the wolf is about to give up and concede victory to the fox, it drinks one last gulp and bursts, unable to withstand the excessive consumption.
The fox, having escaped certain death, scampers away, leaving behind the satisfied taste of victory. This fable, with its imaginative premise and clever protagonist, showcases the importance of wit and strategic thinking in medieval Slavic folklore. It also stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of tales featuring cunning animals, where intelligence and quick thinking can be more powerful than brute force.
While the medieval Slavic fable is the earliest known record, the idea that the Moon is made of cheese gained further traction in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1546, a similar tale was recorded in "The Proverbs of John Heywood," and in 1638, English natural philosopher John Wilkins used the phrase "the Moon is made of green cheese" to illustrate human gullibility.
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John Wilkins' 1638 example of human gullibility
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a long-standing myth, with the earliest record of this notion coming from a medieval Slavic fable. In the story, a fox convinces a hungry wolf that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese. While it is doubtful that anyone truly believed the moon was made of cheese, the phrase became commonly used over the centuries.
In 1638, English natural philosopher John Wilkins made a statement regarding human gullibility, using the moon-cheese myth as an example: "you may … soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese, (as we say)". This comment highlights the ease with which people can be deceived, especially when preying on their trust or exploiting their reluctance to appear untrusting.
John Wilkins, an Anglican clergyman, natural philosopher, and author, was a key figure in reducing political and religious tension during a tumultuous period. He was one of the founders of the Royal Society and played a significant role in shaping the Church of England to be more inclusive of various sects. Wilkins was also an influential writer, with works such as "The Discovery of a New World, or, a discourse tending to prove, that ‘tis probable there may be another habitable World in the Moone" (1638) and "A Discourse Concerning a New Planet" (1640). These books explored the possibility of life on the Moon and defended the theories of notable scientists such as Johannes Kepler and Galileo.
While Wilkins' statement about the moon being made of cheese was likely not meant to be taken literally, it serves as a reminder of human gullibility and our tendency to believe and spread rumors, especially when they align with our existing beliefs or are presented by someone we trust.
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Moon-cheese references in popular culture
Moon-cheese references have been a part of popular culture for centuries, often as a humorous conceit in children's media with astronomical themes and in adult references. The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been around for millennia, but it is doubtful that anyone ever actually believed it. The earliest record of this notion comes from a medieval Slavic/Servian folk tale about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox. The fox tricks the wolf into thinking the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, and the wolf drinks all the water in the pond trying to get to it, ultimately bursting.
The best-known early written citation of the moon-cheese idea dates to 1546 in "The Proverbs of John Heywood," and the phrase came into common use over the following century. In 1638, English natural philosopher John Wilkins wrote, "You may… soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese, (as we say)," referring to the gullibility of peasants.
Moon-cheese references continue to appear in modern popular culture, including in children's programs like "Tom and Jerry" and "Wallace and Gromit." In "Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out," the characters travel to the moon to get cheese, and in "The Wrong Trousers," a newspaper article mentions how sales of "moon cheese" are soaring. Even NASA has gotten in on the joke, claiming on April Fool's Day in 2002 that they had "proven" the moon was made of cheese by releasing a Photoshopped image with an expiration date printed on one of the moon's craters.
Moon-cheese references also appear in video games like "Mad Rat Dead," where the moon is made of yellow cheese, and "Mario Kart: Super Circuit," where the Cheese Land racetrack is set on the Moon, made of cartoon cheese and inhabited by mousers.
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The myth of the flat Earth
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a part of popular culture for centuries, with references in children's media, adult jokes, and even scientific discussions. However, there is no historical evidence that people actually believed the moon was made of cheese. The notion is often attributed to a medieval Slavic fable, in which a fox tricks a wolf into thinking that the moon's reflection on water is a block of cheese, leading the wolf to drink all the water and burst. The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" became common in the mid-16th century, used to signify gullibility or extreme credulity.
The flat Earth myth ignores the personal observations and collections of Moon rock samples by astronauts, which provide concrete evidence of the Earth's spherical shape. The Moon, on the other hand, has often been described as having a shape similar to a party hat or an egg, with only one side visible from Earth due to its rotation.
The "moon made of cheese" trope has been used in various forms of media, from children's programs like Tom and Jerry to adult references in films like "A Grand Day Out" and April Fool's jokes by NASA. While it provides comedic value and has sparked creative stories, the idea of the moon being made of cheese is not taken seriously by the scientific community.
In conclusion, while the moon cheese myth has been a playful part of popular culture, it has not been historically believed to be true. Similarly, the notion that people during the Middle Ages believed in a flat Earth is a misconception, as many ancient civilizations possessed knowledge of the Earth's spherical shape.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there was never an actual historical popular belief that the moon is made of cheese. The idea was used as an example of extreme credulity, or gullibility, as early as 1638.
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been around for millennia. The earliest record of this notion comes from a medieval Slavic fable in which a ravenous wolf chases a fox. The fox tricks the wolf into thinking that the moon’s reflection on a pond is a block of cheese and that the wolf must drink all the water to get to it. The phrase "the moon is made of cheese" became extremely common in the mid-16th century, with the earliest known citation found in The Proverbs of John Heywood, dated 1546.
No, the scientific community has never supported the claim that the moon is made of cheese. However, some have noted that the seismic velocity of moon rocks—the speed at which shockwaves travel—is closer to that of green cheese than to any rock on Earth.
