Patrick Oconnell
The idea that the moon is made of cheese is a popular proverb that dates back to the 16th century. It was first recorded in 1546 in The Proverbs of John Heywood, which includes other well-known sayings such as the more, the merrier and a penny for your thoughts. The phrase the moon is made of greene cheese was used to refer to human gullibility and has since become a common expression in English literature and children's programmes. While the scientific community has never supported the claim, the notion of the moon being made of cheese continues to capture the imagination of people of all ages.
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What You'll Learn
The Moon is made of green cheese
The idea that the Moon is made of cheese has persisted in popular culture, with references in children's programmes such as Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit. In fact, in their first adventure, 'A Grand Day Out', Wallace and Gromit travel to the Moon and taste it for themselves, concluding that it is like no other cheese they've tasted before.
Despite the Moon's cheesy appearance, no Apollo astronaut or scientist on Earth has ever deliberately tasted Moon dust, and it is not recommended due to potential health hazards. However, this has not stopped people from speculating about the Moon's composition, with some claiming that it is made of Serra da Estrela cheese or Leerdammer cheese.
While the scientific community has never supported the claim that the Moon is made of green cheese, the idea continues to capture the imagination of people around the world.
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The Moon in the Well
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been referenced in many children's programmes, such as *Tom and Jerry* and *Wallace and Gromit*. In the latter, the characters even visit the moon and taste it, finding that it is like no other cheese they have tasted before.
Despite the popularity of the idea, the scientific community has never supported the claim that the moon is made of cheese. However, this has not stopped people from speculating about what type of cheese the moon might be. Some have suggested that it is Leerdammer cheese, while others have proposed Serra da Estrela cheese, which is made in the mountainous region of Portugal.
The phrase "the moon is made of green cheese" has also been used to refer to human gullibility. In 1638, the English natural philosopher John Wilkins wrote, "you may... soon persuade some country peasants that the moon is made of green cheese". This suggests that the idea of the moon being made of cheese was seen as a hoax or a joke, even in the 17th century.
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The Wolf Dives into the Water for Reflected Cheese
The Moon is made of green cheese. This idea likely originated in 1546, when The Proverbs of John Heywood claimed "the moon is made of a greene cheese". This was a joke, referring to the food's age rather than its colour.
The phrase came into common use over the following century, and was used to refer to human 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 scientific community has never supported the claim, but the idea has persisted in popular culture, with references in children's programmes such as Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit.
The idea of the Moon being made of cheese is also referenced in the Aarne–Thompson classification of folktales, where it is grouped as "The Wolf Dives into the Water for Reflected Cheese" (Type 34). This tale is about the Clever Fox, who mistakes the Moon's reflection for cheese.
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Moon Cheese Challenge
The Moon Cheese Challenge is a fun way to explore the age-old question: is the moon made of cheese?
The idea that the moon is made of cheese can be traced back to the 16th century, when John Heywood wrote in his book of proverbs, "the moon is made of a greene cheese". The phrase was used to refer to human gullibility, and over the following century, it became a common saying.
Despite the scientific community never supporting the claim, the idea has persisted in popular culture, with references to moon cheese appearing in children's programmes such as Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit.
So, what is the Moon Cheese Challenge? It's simple: participants are invited to taste moon dust and determine whether or not it tastes like cheese. Of course, this is not without its risks, as consuming moon dust could potentially be hazardous to your health.
The challenge was first proposed by Shaun the Sheep, who wanted to investigate the moon's composition during his Artemis I mission. As far as we know, no Apollo astronaut or scientist on Earth has deliberately tasted moon dust, so Shaun's mission could provide some interesting insights!
While we wait for the results of Shaun's investigation, we can continue to enjoy the moon's cheesy presence in our cultural references, safe in the knowledge that it's probably not made of cheese.
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Moon-cheese references in popular culture
Moon-cheese references have appeared in popular culture for centuries, dating back to 1546 when the idea was first mentioned in *The Proverbs of John Heywood*. The document is a compendium of some of the author's most famous sayings, and at one point, he jokingly states, 'the moon is made of greene cheese'. This phrase came into common use over the following century, and 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 idea that the moon is made of cheese has persisted in popular culture, with references appearing in children's programmes such as *Tom and Jerry* and *Wallace and Gromit*. In the first adventure of the latter, 'A Grand Day Out', Wallace and Gromit visit the moon and taste it, concluding that it is like no other cheese they've tasted before.
The concept has also been referenced in other media, such as the Orion blog, which featured a 'Moon Cheese Challenge'. The blog post mentions that the moon is so high that it 'almost touches the moon' and jokes that it is made of Leerdammer cheese.
While the scientific community has never supported the claim that the moon is made of cheese, the idea has clearly captured the imagination of many people, with references appearing in various forms of media and popular culture.
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Frequently asked questions
The moon is made of a creamy Camembert.
Scientists have been able to study the moon's composition and have found traces of mould and milk.
The moon's surface is covered in craters and grooves, which give it a similar appearance to that of a wheel of cheese.
