Meaning :
The phrase “once in a blue moon” is used to describe an event or occurrence that happens very rarely or infrequently. It suggests that something is not common or happens only once in a long period of time. The phrase “blue moon” refers to the occurrence of an additional full moon in a calendar month, which is relatively rare. Since a typical lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, most months have only one full moon. However, every two to three years, a second full moon can occur within the same month, and this second full moon is referred to as a “blue moon.” Therefore, when something happens “once in a blue moon,” it implies that it is a rare or uncommon event.
Example Sentences :
- My brother is not a fan of cooking, but he’ll surprise us with a delicious homemade meal once in a blue moon.
- Living in a busy city, it’s rare to see a starry night sky. We can only witness such beauty once in a blue moon.
- Sarah is usually reserved, but she’ll let loose and dance like crazy at parties once in a blue moon.
- I don’t usually indulge in dessert, but I treat myself to a decadent slice of cake once in a blue moon.
- The old bookstore in the neighborhood hosts author readings only once in a blue moon, so it’s a special occasion when they do.
- My grandparents live far away, so we only get to visit them once in a blue moon.
- It’s not often that we experience heavy snowfall in this region, but once in a blue moon, we’ll wake up to a winter wonderland.
- My favorite band rarely goes on tour, but I managed to catch their concert once in a blue moon, and it was unforgettable.
- I’m not a fan of horror movies, but I’ll watch one with friends on Halloween once in a blue moon, just for the thrill.
- Getting a promotion at work doesn’t happen often, but once in a blue moon, someone receives a well-deserved promotion.
Origin :
The origin of the phrase “once in a blue moon” can be traced back to the 16th century. The term “blue moon” originally referred to an extra full moon that occurred in a season. The Farmers’ Almanac in the early 19th century defined a blue moon as the third full moon in a season that had four full moons instead of the usual three. However, this definition has evolved over time.
The phrase “once in a blue moon” gained popularity and became more widely known in the 20th century. It was used to describe something that happened very rarely or infrequently. The use of “blue moon” to represent a rare event might be attributed to the fact that a second full moon in a calendar month is relatively uncommon. This infrequent occurrence likely led to the association of rarity with the color blue, and thus the phrase “once in a blue moon” came to signify a rare or uncommon event.