Frederic Melton
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a topic of fascination for centuries, with references in medieval fables, 16th-century literature, and modern pop culture. While it's unlikely that anyone truly believes the moon is made of dairy, the notion has persisted and even inspired a joke by NASA on April Fool's Day in 2002. This joke was likely influenced by a medieval Slavic fable, in which a fox tricks a wolf into believing that the moon's reflection on a pond is a block of cheese, leading the wolf to drink all the water and burst. This tale has various versions across different cultures, showcasing its global appeal. The phrase the moon is made of green cheese became popular in English literature during the 16th and 17th centuries, and it's safe to assume that Americans, like people worldwide, have encountered and likely enjoyed this whimsical idea, even if they don't genuinely believe it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of the myth | A fable about a hungry wolf and a crafty fox |
| Earliest record | Medieval Slavic fable |
| Earliest written record | 1546, in The Proverbs of John Heywood |
| Seismic velocity of moon rocks | 1.2–1.9 km/s |
| Seismic velocity of terrestrial rocks | 4.7–10 km/s |
| Percentage of people who believe the moon is made of cheese | 10% |
| Percentage of Scots who have never microwaved a gannet | 50% |
| Moon-shaped cheese from France | Reblochon |
| Moon-shaped cheese from Spain | Queso Flor de Valsequillo |
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What You'll Learn
The Moon's reflection mistaken for cheese in folktales
The notion that the moon is made of cheese has been a part of popular culture for centuries, with references in medieval folklore, 16th-century literature, and modern media. While it is commonly understood that the moon is not made of cheese, the persistence of this idea in various forms throughout history is intriguing and provides a glimpse into the human imagination and our relationship with the moon.
One of the earliest known references to the moon being made of cheese can be found in a medieval Slavic fable, where a crafty fox tricks a hungry wolf. In this tale, the fox convinces the wolf that the moon's reflection on a pond is a floating block of cheese. The wolf, enticed by the prospect of a delicious treat, drinks all the water in the pond, only to burst from overindulgence, leaving the fox victorious. This story, known as "The Wolf Dives into the Water for Reflected Cheese," is classified as a type of folktale featuring a clever fox outwitting its adversary.
The idea of the moon's reflection being mistaken for cheese also appears in other cultural variations, such as the Zulu tale of the hyena, the Gascon story of the peasant, and the Turkish tale of Khoja Nasru-'d-Din, among others. These stories, grouped under the theme of "The Moon in the Well," showcase different cultural interpretations of the moon's illusory nature and the human tendency to project familiar concepts onto celestial bodies.
The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" gained popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries, appearing in John Heywood's "The Proverbs of John Heywood" in 1546. The term green in this context refers to the cheese's new or unaged state rather than its color. This proverb was often used jokingly to highlight human gullibility, as seen in John Wilkins' statement, "you may ... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese."
Over time, the moon-made-of-cheese concept has been perpetuated and referenced in modern media, including children's programs like "Tom and Jerry" and "Wallace and Gromit." Even NASA played along, releasing a photoshopped image on April Fool's Day in 2002, claiming to have proven that the moon was made of cheese.
While the idea of the moon being made of cheese is firmly rooted in folklore and fiction, it has captured the imagination of people for centuries, inspiring stories, jokes, and even scientific discussions about the nature of the moon.
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The Moon made of cheese as a proverb
The notion that the Moon is made of cheese has been a popular proverb since the 16th and 17th centuries, although its origins may date back to a medieval Slavic fable. The earliest known written record of this idea can be found in "The Proverbs of John Heywood" from 1546, where he states, "the moon is made of greene cheese." In this context, "greene" refers to the cheese's new or unaged state rather than its color.
The proverb is believed to have originated from a fable about a hungry wolf chasing 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," is classified as a type of folk story featuring a clever fox.
The phrase "the moon is made of cheese" became a common expression, often used to refer to someone's gullibility or naivety. For example, in 1638, English natural philosopher John Wilkins wrote, "you may ... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese." Despite its popularity, the scientific community has never supported the claim.
Over time, the moon-made-of-cheese idea has become a well-known joke, referenced in children's programs, popular culture, and even by organizations like NASA, who played along with the joke on April Fool's Day in 2002.
While it is unlikely that anyone truly believed the moon was made of cheese, the phrase's enduring popularity showcases its role as a playful proverb in our language.
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Moon rock seismic velocities similar to cheese
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a part of popular culture for centuries, with references in medieval fables, 16th-century literature, and modern media like Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit. While it is undoubtedly a myth, the notion has persisted and even inspired an April Fool's joke by NASA in 2002, claiming to have "proven" the moon was made of cheese.
Now, let's delve into the intriguing aspect of "Moon rock seismic velocities similar to cheese." Seismic velocity refers to how fast vibrations or shockwaves travel through a material. The seismic velocities of Moon rocks, which range from 1.2 to 1.9 km/s, are significantly different from terrestrial rocks and minerals, which range from 4.7 km/s for sedimentary rocks to 10 km/s for certain minerals. Interestingly, the velocities observed in Moon rocks are comparable to those found in popular cheeses like Muenster, Cheddar, and Provolone.
This similarity in seismic velocities between Moon rocks and cheese has sparked some imaginative interpretations. Some have jokingly suggested that it provides evidence" for the moon being made of cheese. However, it's important to note that this theory doesn't hold up under closer examination. The seismic velocities of Moon rocks can be attributed to the extensive history of impacts on the lunar surface, which have fragmented and recompacted the rocks over time.
The unique seismic properties of Moon rocks have important implications for our understanding of the moon's internal structure. Seismic experiments conducted by the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s provided valuable insights, indicating the presence of a core-mantle boundary. Reanalyses of this data in 2011 suggested the possibility of a fluid outer core and a solid inner core, similar to the structure of the Earth.
In conclusion, while the phrase "Moon rock seismic velocities similar to cheese" may evoke whimsical images, it highlights the fascinating and complex nature of lunar geology. The moon's unique seismic characteristics continue to be a subject of scientific inquiry, contributing to our evolving understanding of our celestial neighbor.
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Moon-cheese references in pop culture
The idea of the Moon being made of cheese has been a part of popular culture for centuries, with references in literature, film, television, and even science.
The earliest known record of the Moon being likened to cheese comes from a medieval Slavic fable, in which a fox tricks a wolf into believing that the Moon's reflection on a pond is a wheel of cheese. The wolf drinks all the water, hoping to reach the cheese, but ultimately bursts. This tale has been adapted and retold across various cultures, with similar stories appearing in French, Jewish, Spanish, and Zulu folklore.
In English literature, the notion of the Moon being made of cheese was popularized by John Heywood in 1546, with the proverb "the moon is made of greene cheese" ("greene" referring to the cheese's new or unaged state, rather than its color). This phrase became commonly used in the following centuries, often to indicate someone's gullibility.
The Moon-cheese trope has also found its way into modern pop culture, especially in children's media with astronomical themes. Examples include the animated film "A Grand Day Out," featuring the beloved characters Wallace and Gromit, who embark on a journey to the Moon in search of cheese. Another reference is found in the popular animated series "Tom and Jerry," where the characters interact with a Moon made of cheese.
Even scientific organizations like NASA have joined in on the joke. On April Fool's Day in 2002, NASA claimed to have proven that the Moon was made of cheese, releasing a photoshopped image of the Moon with an expiration date.
The Moon-cheese concept has become a playful part of our cultural landscape, providing a whimsical twist to various forms of entertainment.
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Moon-cheese jokes by NASA and others
Moon-cheese jokes have been around for centuries, with the earliest record of this notion coming from a medieval Slavic fable about a ravenous wolf chasing 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 ends up drinking too much water and bursting. This fable has led to various jokes and references to the moon being made of cheese in popular culture and even in scientific circles.
NASA, the renowned space agency, has also joined in on the fun. On April Fool's Day in 2002, they claimed to have “proven” that the moon was made of cheese by releasing a Photoshopped image with an expiration date on one of the moon's craters. They even suggested that people should "completely devour the Moon" by the following day. This playful prank was a creative way to engage the public and bring a smile to people's faces.
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a recurring theme in children's entertainment, with shows like "Tom and Jerry" and "Wallace and Gromit" making references to it. In the 1989 film "A Grand Day Out," Wallace and Gromit even go to the Moon to gather cheese due to a shortage at home. This lighthearted take on space exploration adds a touch of whimsy to their adventures.
The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" was a popular proverb in 16th- and 17th-century English literature, often used to refer to someone who is gullible or easily fooled. John Wilkins, an English natural philosopher, wrote about this concept in 1638, saying, "you may ... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of greene cheese." The phrase has endured and continues to be used in various forms today.
While it is clear that the moon is not actually made of cheese, the joke has persisted and evolved over the years. It has been used in folklore, literature, film, and even scientific discussions to add a touch of humour and whimsy to various topics. So, the next time you look up at the full moon, you might just find yourself imagining a giant wheel of cheese floating in the night sky.
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Frequently asked questions
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been a long-standing joke for centuries. The earliest record of this notion comes from a medieval Slavic fable about a wolf and a fox. The fable was later adapted into a proverb by John Heywood in 1546, which was then referenced by philosopher John Wilkins in 1638.
While there is no definitive answer, a survey suggests that about one in ten people believe the moon is made of cheese. It is unlikely that anyone truly believes this, and it is more likely to be a joke or a hoax.
The seismic velocity, or the speed at which shockwaves travel, of moon rocks differs significantly from that of terrestrial rocks and minerals. This unique characteristic has led to comparisons with the seismic velocities of popular cheeses. However, this data can be explained by the extensive history of impacts on the lunar surface.
Yes, on April Fool's Day in 2002, NASA 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.
There is no record of any Apollo astronauts or scientists tasting moon dust, and it is not recommended due to potential health hazards. However, in a blog post, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin jokingly told a child that the moon is made of American cheese.
