Frederic Melton
The Moon being made of green cheese is a well-known proverb and metaphor for credulity with roots in fable. The saying refers to the perception of a simpleton who sees a reflection of the Moon in water and mistakes it for a round cheese wheel. The earliest record of this notion comes from a medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox. The fox tricks the wolf into believing that the moon’s reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, and that the wolf must drink all the water to get the cheese. Over the following century, the phrase came into common use, with English natural philosopher John Wilkins using it in 1638 to refer to human gullibility. The scientific community has never supported the claim, but references to the Moon being made of cheese are widespread in popular culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox |
| Earliest Record | 1546, in "The Proverbs of John Heywood" |
| Common Variation | "To make one believe the Moon is made of green cheese" |
| Purpose | Sarcasm, deliberate obtuseness, or to imply a baseless belief |
| Scientific Evidence | None; the claim is considered absurd |
| Cultural Significance | Widespread in folklore and modern popular culture |
| References in Media | Tom and Jerry, Wallace and Gromit, NASA's April Fool's Joke in 2002 |
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What You'll Learn
The Moon's reflection mistaken for cheese
The Moon's reflection, mistaken for cheese, is a reference to a medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf and a crafty fox. The fox tricks the wolf into believing that the Moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, and that he must drink all the water to get the treat. This story is the earliest record of the "moon is made of green cheese" notion.
The phrase became popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, and was used to refer to someone who is gullible or ignorant. The "green" in "green cheese" refers to the cheese's youth or age, rather than its colour. The saying implies a baseless belief, easily disproved, that only a naive or foolish person would hold.
The Moon's round shape and mottled, pockmarked surface do resemble a wheel of cheese, and this similarity is likely why the Moon-cheese connection has endured in popular culture. The phrase has appeared in children's shows like Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit, and even NASA got in on the joke, claiming to have proven the Moon was made of cheese in an April Fool's prank.
The Moon's reflection in water has been a motif in folklore across many cultures, and the idea that the Moon is a tangible object within reach is a common theme in stories about fools. The Moon's resemblance to cheese has also been noted by astronomers and researchers, who have issued satirical reports "proving" the Moon is made of cheese, complete with photoshopped images of the Moon's surface with expiration dates.
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The Moon in the Well
The phrase "The Moon is made of green cheese" is a well-known proverb, originating from the 16th century, first appearing in John Heywood's book of proverbs in 1546. The phrase was used sarcastically to imply that someone is gullible or ignorant, as the idea of the moon being made of cheese is easily disproved. The "green" in "green cheese" refers to the youth or unripeness of the cheese, rather than its colour.
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The Moon's composition
The notion that the Moon is made of green cheese can be traced back to medieval Slavic folklore and a fable involving a ravenous wolf and a crafty fox. In this tale, the fox tricks the wolf into believing that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, leading to the wolf's demise. This fable, and similar variations, highlight the perception of the Moon as a tangible object, with its reflection mistaken for a wheel of cheese.
The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" became a popular proverb in 16th- and 17th-century English literature, often used sarcastically to imply gullibility or ignorance. The term "green" in this context refers not to the color but to the youth or unripeness of the cheese, suggesting a lack of maturity or experience.
While the Moon's composition is not literally cheesy, there are some interesting aspects to its geological makeup. The Moon's surface, with its craters and pockmarks, does bear a resemblance to Swiss cheese, contributing to the enduring cheese association. Additionally, the harmonic signature of moon rock, or the seismic velocity at which shockwaves travel, is said to be closer to green cheese than to any rock on Earth, providing a curious connection between the Moon and cheese in terms of seismic properties.
In conclusion, while the Moon's composition is not literally made of green cheese, the association has persisted through folklore, literature, and popular culture. The Moon's resemblance to Swiss cheese in terms of its cratered surface and its unique seismic properties have likely contributed to the enduring cheese metaphor, which continues to capture the imagination of people of all ages.
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The Moon as a folkloric motif
The Moon has long been a source of fascination and inspiration for humans, with its mysterious allure finding its way into various aspects of culture, including folklore and literature. One of the most intriguing and whimsical beliefs associated with the Moon is the notion that it is made of green cheese. This idea has persisted through the centuries, finding its way into children's folklore and modern popular culture, often as a humorous conceit.
The earliest known record of this notion can be traced back to a medieval Slavic fable, in which a cunning fox tricks a hungry wolf by convincing him that the Moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, which the wolf can obtain by drinking all the water. The fox outsmarts his pursuer, who ends up bursting from drinking too much water. This tale reflects the motif of the Moon's reflection being mistaken for cheese, a theme that has been classified as "The Wolf Dives into the Water for Reflected Cheese" in the Aarne-Thompson folktale classification system.
The phrase "the Moon is made of green cheese" gained popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly after its appearance in John Heywood's book of proverbs in 1546. In this context, "green" refers not to the colour but to the youth or unripeness of the cheese. The phrase was often used sarcastically or tongue-in-cheek, implying that a person must be gullible or ignorant to believe such a claim. The round shape and mottled appearance of the Moon, resembling a wheel of cheese, further contributed to the whimsical imagery.
The Moon-cheese connection has since become a recurring motif in folklore and popular culture, with references in children's programmes, literature, and even scientific humour. The notion provides a symbolic or metaphorical layer, representing baseless beliefs that can be easily disproved. The enduring fascination with the Moon's composition, whether in jest or genuine curiosity, showcases the impact of this celestial body on the human imagination.
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The Moon as a symbol of credulity
The Moon has long been a celestial body of fascination for humanity, and its association with green cheese is a well-known folkloric motif. The notion that "the Moon is made of green cheese" is not a literal belief, but rather a proverb and metaphor for credulity, or gullibility. This idea is often attributed to a medieval Slavic fable about a fox and a wolf, in which the fox tricks the wolf into believing that the moon's reflection on water is a block of cheese, leading to the wolf's demise.
The earliest written record of this concept is found in John Heywood's book of proverbs from 1546, where he jokingly states, "the moon is made of greene cheese." It is important to note that "'greene' in this context refers not to the color but to the youth or unripeness of the cheese. This phrase quickly entered common usage, often used sarcastically to imply that a person is gullible or ignorant.
The saying gained further popularity in the 17th century, with English natural philosopher John Wilkins writing in 1638, "you may... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese, (as we say)." This phrase became a way to mock those who were easily fooled or lacked critical thinking skills. The imagery of the Moon as a cheese-like object persisted due to its round shape and mottled, crater-like appearance.
While the idea of the Moon being made of green cheese is not taken seriously, it has provided a lighthearted way to discuss credulity and the importance of scientific inquiry. It serves as a reminder that even the most outlandish claims can be used to engage in critical thinking and appreciate the absurdity of some beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the moon is not made out of green cheese. The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" is meant to imply a baseless belief that could be easily disproved.
The earliest record of this notion comes from a medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing a fox. The fox tricks the wolf into thinking that 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. The best-known early citation is from John Heywood's book of proverbs in 1546.
People often use the phrase sarcastically or to imply that someone is gullible or ignorant. The phrase was popular in English literature in the 16th and 17th centuries and was used to refer to someone who was easily fooled.
No, there is no evidence that the moon is made of green cheese. However, some have noted that the moon's harmonic signature, or seismic velocity, is closer to green cheese than any rock on Earth. Additionally, the moon's mottled and pocked appearance resembles that of a disk of cheese.
Yes, several satirical attempts have been made to prove that the moon is made of cheese. These include doctored satellite images of the moon's surface with an expiration date, references to "lunar mice", and green-tinted photographs of Swiss cheese-like craters. Even NASA got in on the joke, claiming to have "proven" the moon was made of cheese on April Fool's Day in 2002.
