Kamil Perry
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a topic of fascination for centuries. While it is unlikely that anyone genuinely believes this, the notion has persisted in folklore, literature, and popular culture. The earliest known reference to the idea is found in a medieval Slavic fable, where a fox tricks a wolf into believing that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese. 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 gullibility. Despite the scientific community's dismissal of this claim, references to the moon being made of cheese continue to appear in modern media and marketing surveys, keeping the whimsical idea alive in popular culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of the notion | A medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox |
| Earliest record | 1546, in The Proverbs of John Heywood |
| References in literature | The Proverbs of John Heywood, The Discovery of a World in the Moone by John Wilkins, Le Roman de Renart, The Nun's Priest's Tale, The Fox, the Wolf and the Husbandman, Le Loup et le Renard, The Wolf and the Fox |
| Popularity in media | Tom and Jerry, Wallace and Gromit, NASA's April Fool's Day prank in 2002 |
| Percentage of believers | 10% |
| Examples in modern culture | Queso Flor de Valsequillo, Reblochon, Serra da Estrela cheese |
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What You'll Learn
The Moon-cheese myth's origins
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a part of folklore and popular culture for centuries, but it is doubtful that anyone truly believed it. The notion is often associated with various myths, fables, and proverbs that have been passed down through oral and literary traditions.
One of the earliest known references to the moon-cheese myth can be found in a medieval Slavic fable, where a ravenous wolf chases a fox. The fox tricks the wolf by convincing him that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, and the wolf must drink all the water to get it. This tale, known as "The Wolf Dives into the Water for Reflected Cheese," has variations in different cultures, including Serbian, Zulu, Gascon, Turkish, and Scottish stories.
The best-known early written citation of the moon-cheese myth dates back to 1546 and can be found in "The Proverbs of John Heywood." Heywood jokingly states, "the moon is made of greene cheese," with "greene" possibly referring to new or unaged cheese rather than its color. This phrase became a popular proverb in 16th- and 17th-century English literature and was used to refer to credulity or gullibility.
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)," further illustrating the use of the moon-cheese myth as a metaphor for human credulity. Over time, the moon-cheese myth has become a recurring theme in popular culture, appearing in children's programs, films, and even NASA's April Fool's Day joke in 2002, where they claimed to have proven that the moon was made of cheese.
While the moon-cheese myth has persisted for centuries, it is important to note that it has always been understood as a fanciful notion rather than a serious belief. The scientific community has never supported the claim, and various studies have been conducted to explore the moon's composition and origin.
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References in media
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been referenced in media for centuries, often as a humorous concept or to highlight human gullibility. Here are some notable references:
Medieval Fables and Folklore
The earliest known record of the moon-made-of-cheese notion is found in a medieval Slavic fable. In this tale, a hungry wolf chases a fox, who tricks the wolf into believing that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese. The wolf drinks all the water, hoping to get the cheese, but ultimately bursts from overindulgence, allowing the fox to escape. This story is also found in other cultures, including Serbian, Zulu, Gascon, Turkish, and Scottish folklore, with slight variations.
16th and 17th-Century Literature
The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" became a popular proverb in 16th and 17th-century English literature, originating in John Heywood's "The Proverbs of John Heywood" in 1546. It was often used to refer to someone who was gullible or easily fooled. John Wilkins, an English natural philosopher, referenced this idea in 1638 when speaking of human credulity.
Modern Popular Culture
The moon-made-of-cheese concept has also appeared in modern popular culture, especially in children's media with astronomical themes. Examples include the classic cartoon "Tom and Jerry" and the stop-motion animation "Wallace and Gromit."
NASA's April Fool's Joke
Even the prestigious space agency NASA joined in on the joke. On April Fool's Day in 2002, they claimed to have "proven" that the moon was made of cheese by releasing a Photoshopped image of the moon with an expiration date on one of its craters.
Comics and Literature
The idea has also been referenced in comics and literature. For example, the DC comic features a character named Little Cheese (real name Chester Cheese), who discovers a type of cheese on the moon. Additionally, the French classic "Le Roman de Renart" and its various adaptations, including "The Nun's Priest's Tale" by Chaucer, feature a variation of the fox and wolf tale involving the moon and cheese.
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Similar beliefs
The belief that the moon is made of cheese has been a topic of fascination for centuries, with various cultural and literary references contributing to its enduring appeal. While it is unlikely that anyone genuinely held this belief academically, it has persisted as a playful idea in popular culture.
One of the earliest records of this notion can be found in a medieval Slavic fable, later adapted in the French classic "Le Roman de Renart," where a fox tricks a wolf into believing that the moon's reflection on water is a block of cheese. This tale, known as "The Wolf Dives into the Water for Reflected Cheese," has variations in different cultures, including the Zulu, Gascon, Turkish, and Scottish traditions.
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 human gullibility. English natural philosopher John Wilkins, for instance, wrote about persuading "some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese."
The idea has also been perpetuated in modern popular culture, with references in children's programs like "Tom and Jerry" and "Wallace and Gromit." Even NASA played along with the joke on April Fool's Day in 2002, claiming to have proven that the moon was made of cheese.
The notion that the moon is made of cheese has been a lighthearted concept that has captured the imagination of people for generations, providing a whimsical alternative to the more scientific explanations of the moon's composition.
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Scientific understanding
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a part of popular culture for centuries, with references in literature, cartoons, and films. However, the scientific community has never supported this claim, and there is significant evidence to the contrary.
The earliest known record of the notion that the moon is made of cheese comes from a medieval Slavic fable, which was later adapted into a French classic, "Le Roman de Renart." In this tale, a fox tricks a wolf into believing that the moon's reflection on the water is a block of cheese, leading the wolf to drink all the water and burst. A similar story appears in "The Proverbs of John Heywood," dated to 1546, where Heywood jokingly states, "the moon is made of greene cheese." The phrase ""greene cheese" refers not to the color but to cheese that is new or unaged.
Over the centuries, the phrase "the moon is made of cheese" became a common proverb and was often used to refer to someone who was gullible or easily fooled. 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)."
Despite the enduring popularity of the moon-made-of-cheese concept in fiction and humor, there is no scientific basis for this belief. On the contrary, scientific evidence strongly suggests that the moon is not made of cheese. Moon rocks exhibit seismic velocities ranging from 1.2 to 1.9 km/s, which is within the range found in some popular cheeses like muenster, cheddar, and provolone. However, this similarity in seismic velocities can be attributed to the extensive history of impacts on the lunar surface, which blast rocks apart and fuse the remains back together. More comprehensive measurements of density, composition, and history easily account for the cheese-like data.
Additionally, the analysis of moon rocks brought back by astronauts provides further evidence against the moon-made-of-cheese theory. The seismic velocities of these rocks differ significantly from every kind of rock known on Earth, ranging from 4.7 km/s for some sedimentary rocks to as high as 10 km/s for minerals. This unique composition suggests a formation model that aligns with scientific understanding of celestial body formation, rather than the moon being made of cheese.
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April Fools' jokes
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a long-running joke for centuries. While it is unlikely that anyone ever took this notion seriously, it has persisted in folklore, literature, and popular culture. Here are some April Fools' jokes inspired by the whimsical idea of a moon made of cheese:
- The Cheesy Moon Landing: Create a mock news report or social media post claiming that astronauts have landed on the moon and discovered that it is indeed made of cheese. Include exaggerated details about the astronauts sampling the moon cheese and describing its flavour and texture. You could even create a fictional brand name for this celestial cheese, like "Luna Lactose."
- Moon Cheese Taste Test: Organise a blindfolded cheese tasting event, inviting friends or colleagues to sample different types of cheese. However, secretly replace one of the cheeses with a cream cheese-covered rock, claiming it to be a rare and exotic variety. As people try to guess the cheese's origin, reveal that it is actually a piece of the moon, complete with a fake lunar rock prop.
- Moon Cheese Hunt: If you have children or younger siblings, organise a treasure hunt with a twist. Hide small cheese cubes or cheese-shaped treats around the house or backyard, with clues hinting at the moon's cheesy nature. For example, "The man in the moon's favourite snack" or "What the astronauts found on their lunar mission." The participants will have a blast searching for the cheesy treasures and will surely get a kick out of the silly premise.
- Cheesy Moon Art Exhibition: Curate a faux art exhibition featuring artistic interpretations of the moon made entirely out of cheese. Use different types of cheese to create varied textures and colours, from creamy Camembert craters to Swiss cheese landscapes. Accompany each piece with whimsical titles and descriptions, such as "Moon Cheese Meltdown" or "Aged Astronaut Cheddar." Be sure to offer guests a variety of crackers and condiments to pair with the "celestial cheese."
- Moon Cheese Special at Your Restaurant: If you own a restaurant or bakery, add a special item to your menu for April Fools' Day, such as "Moon Cheese Soufflé" or "Lunar Cheesecake." Play along with the joke by offering discounts to anyone who can present proof of a lunar mission membership or fake moon landing conspiracy theories. Be sure to clarify that it's all in good fun and that your restaurant doesn't actually source ingredients from the moon!
Remember, the key to successful April Fools' jokes is to maintain a lighthearted and humorous atmosphere. While the jokes may be whimsical or absurd, they should not be mean-spirited or cause any harm. Enjoy the laughter and the temporary suspension of disbelief as you celebrate April Fools' Day with these cheesy lunar jokes!
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no definitive answer to this question, a spurious survey suggests that one in ten people believe the moon is made of cheese. The notion that the moon is made of cheese has been a part of popular culture for centuries, with references in literature, comics, and children's programs like Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit.
The idea that the moon is made of cheese can be traced back to medieval Slavic and Servian fables, as well as tales from other cultures, including the Zulu, Gascon, Turkish, and Scottish. These stories often involve a fox or a simpleton who mistakes the moon's reflection in the water for cheese. The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" became popular in 16th- and 17th-century English literature and is often used to refer to gullibility or a hoax.
No, the scientific community has never supported the claim that the moon is made of cheese. Moon rocks exhibit seismic velocities that differ significantly from those of terrestrial rocks and minerals, contradicting the idea that the moon is made of cheese.
