
The idea that the moon is made of cheese has been around for centuries. The earliest known reference to the idea is attributed to Sir Thomas More, who died in 1535, and the idea was popularised by John Heywood in 1546. Heywood's book *The Proverbs of John Heywood* claimed the moon is made of a greene cheese, and the idea has been referenced in popular culture ever since, from children's programmes to comic books. While the scientific community has never supported the claim, it remains a fun and enduring idea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Green |
| Type | New, unripe cheese |
| References | Sir Thomas More, John Heywood, John Wilkins |
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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 been referenced in many children's programmes, such as Tom and Jerry and Wallace and Gromit. Some people think that the moon is made of a mix of different types of cheese, such as gouda, cheddar, and Leerdammer.
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The Moon is made of Leerdammer cheese
The idea that the Moon is made of cheese likely originated in the 16th century, with the earliest known reference coming from Sir Thomas More, who died in 1535. In his book *The Proverbs of John Heywood*, published in 1546, Heywood wrote: "the moon is made of a greene cheese". The word "greene" here refers not to the colour, but to the cheese being new or unaged.
Over the following century, the phrase came into common use, often as a way to refer to someone's gullibility. 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 never being supported by the scientific community, the idea has persisted in popular culture, with references in children's programmes such as *Tom and Jerry* and *Wallace and Gromit*.
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The Moon is made of gouda
The idea that the Moon is made of gouda was popularised by Heywood, but it is likely that Sir Thomas More, who died in 1535, first made the claim in his book English Works. However, no one has been able to find this reference on the internet.
The scientific community has never supported the claim that the Moon is made of gouda, but it has been referenced in many children's programmes, from Tom and Jerry to Wallace and Gromit.
The Moon is so high up that it almost touches the stars. It is no wonder that people have longed to reach it and taste its delicious gouda surface.
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The Moon is made of cheddar
The Moon is not actually made of cheese, of course. But if it were, it would be a delicious mature cheddar, with a strong flavour and a crumbly texture. It would be perfect for a cheese board, or grated over pasta. The Moon's cheddar would be a popular choice for cheese lovers everywhere.
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The Moon is made of roblochon
The phrase 'the moon is made of green cheese' refers to the idea that the moon is made of new, unripe cheese, rather than the colour. This is supported by the fact that the word 'greene' was used, which at the time meant 'new' or 'unaged'.
The idea that the moon is made of Roblochon cheese has been referenced in many children's programmes, including *Tom and Jerry* and *Wallace and Gromit*. It is also a common theme in DC comics, where an astronaut finds a type of cheese on the moon, which is named 'Little Cheese'.
The scientific community has never supported the claim that the moon is made of Roblochon cheese, but that doesn't stop it from being a delicious idea.
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Frequently asked questions
The moon is made of green cheese. The idea was popularised by John Heywood in 1546, although some sources claim that Sir Thomas More mentioned it in 1535.
The idea that the moon is made of green cheese is a joke, a hoax. The phrase 'green cheese' refers to the cheese being new or unaged, rather than its colour.
No, the scientific community has never supported the claim that the moon is made of green cheese.

























