Once in a blue moon

Once in a blue moon
idiom
definition: not very often, rarely

What happens to me more and more as the years go by, is that I will all of a sudden question the origins (or is oranges?) of a saying. The other day the expression “once in a blue moon” became such a blip on my radar. The danger, if you can call it that, with looking up such things is that often one will disappear down a rabbit hole of contradicting theories, but oh how I would enjoy listening to the debate between two linguists with opposing opinions about the origins of a particular saying. Sure, I’d nod off after about 15 minutes or so, but I’m sure I’d have sweet dreams. I can think of far worse debates.

Astronomically, a blue moon is what we call it when there is a second full moon in a month. According to Nasa, a blue moon occurs just seven times every 19 years. I suppose that is just about rare enough to serve as an idiom for something that doesn’t happen very often. However, though we call it a blue moon, it doesn’t necessarily appear blue. I can’t personally remember ever seeing a moon that looked particularly blue. Nasa explains that following the spectacular eruption in 1883 of the Indonesian volcano Krakatoa, ashes rose far into the atmosphere, causing a filter effect that gave the moon a blue hue for years (some say two years) following the 1883 eruption. That must have been some bang! Also, the moon must have been so instagrammable in those years. #nofilter. And sunsets were green. I do not like green eggs and ham! Okay, calm down Doctor Seuss, don’t get your bloomers in a bunch. Right, where was I?

Of course, in come the linguistic nerds, eager to let us know that “blue moon” had been around as an expression long befor that silly volcano went boom-boom-bang-bang. Back then it would be used as an absurdity, rather in the way of “when hell freezes over” or “when pigs fly”. The theory is that once the blue moon was actually witnessed, the saying “once in a blue moon” was born. Awh, how lovely. A new baby idiom. All though some will argue that it isn’t even an idiom. That probably is the point at which I’d nod off in this debate.

A sweet example in my real life, is that sometimes I’ll see a deer when I go for a walk in my suburban neighborhood and once in a blue moon, I’ll even spot one from my window. Well isn’t that a nice note to end on for once.

Credits

  • Redhead
    • Meshbody Legacy
    • Lelutka Eon mesh head, includes the hairbase and beard I’m wearing and a truck load of other options
    • Birth Vanguard skin for Lelutka EvoX mesh heads (the neck seamlessly blends into most body skins)
    • Birth Evo X HD Eyebrow Appliers – Style 3
    • Velour EROS body skin for Legacy (this comes in skintones that matches the latest face skins by Birth)
    • Billy Beaverhausen Kayden shape for Lelutka Eon
    • Wings EF0305 hair
    • Avi-Glam Erudite eyes (applied to the mesh eyes that come with the Lelutka head)
    • Noche Yuri sweater, currently showcased at the Alpha Event until April 17th, check Noche’s main store after this event has ended. Treat yourself to the fatpack if the idea of having 39 texture options at your fingertips tickles your fancy (that sounds like another idiom I need to look into). Rigged for Meshbody Legacy & Athletic, Belleza Jake and Reborn (+V-tech)
    • Legal Insanity Lewis Denims, rigged for Meshbody Legacy, Belleza Jake, Signature Gianni and Aesthetic Enzo.
    • Noche James Thong (use the 0 bulge size underneath the above mentioned jeans and I’m not sure this trick works with other bodies). Rigged for Meshbody Legacy & Athletic, Belleza Jake
  • Second avatar:
    • Noche: Daniel Hoodie, Ivan Trunks and Miles Socks
    • Meshbody Legacy
    • Lelutka Logan mesh head
    • Vendetta Phillip skin for Lelutka and the matching body skin for Legacy
    • Vango Tobey hair
    • Avi-Glam Solstice eyes (applied to the mesh eyes that come with the Lelutka head)
    • Dappa Forme Tattoo
    • Brenton shape, can be downloaded for free as an xml file from my Buy Me A Coffee page, the post there explains how to import xml shapes into SL for a shape
  • Decor
    • ARIA Theros Armchair (was part of a mini-set in 2017 Decocrate and it doesn’t appear to have made it to the store, but Loft & Aria are sure worth a visit)
    • Fancy Decor Concrete & Gold Side Table (group gift)
    • Apple Fall Coffee & Muffin (if you land at the main entrance, make sure to teleport to the outlet store)
    • Apple Fall “oncoming storm” frame with light, swapped out the painting with a male nude study by Claudio Bravo
    • JIAN Kitten Collection (Static, Inquisitive)
    • FunkyJunk Reindeer

Leave a comment

Up ↑