How Do You Spell BLUE MOON?

Pronunciation: [blˈuː mˈuːn] (IPA)

The phrase "blue moon" refers to the occurrence of a second full moon within a calendar month. While the word "blue" is typically pronounced with a "y" sound, the word is spelled as "blu" in the phrase "blue moon." This is due to the silent "e" at the end of "blue" which changes the pronunciation of the vowel sound from "y" to "u." The IPA phonetic transcription for the word "blue" is /bluː/, with the colon indicating a long vowel sound.

BLUE MOON Meaning and Definition

1. Blue Moon is a term often used to describe a phenomenon in which there are two full moons occurring within the same calendar month. This occurrence is relatively rare, as the average lunar cycle spans approximately 29.5 days, making it slightly longer than the average month. Consequently, it typically aligns that only one full moon appears per month. However, due to the slight discrepancy between the lunar and calendar cycles, occasionally, a second full moon can appear in a single month, creating what is commonly referred to as a "blue moon."

   The term "blue" in this context does not refer to the actual color of the moon. Rather, it is derived from the word "belewe" from Middle English, meaning "to betray." Historically, this "extra" full moon would sometimes lead to confusion among certain religious communities whose calendars were based on the lunar cycle. Therefore, it was called a "blue moon" since it would "betray" the regularity of one full moon per month.

   Blue moons have captured the interest and imagination of people over the years. They are often associated with mystery, rarity, and even superstition. Despite their infrequency, blue moons are not necessarily blue in color, as the moon's appearance depends on atmospheric conditions and is usually unaffected by the name. Nonetheless, these celestial events continue to captivate observers and serve as a source of fascination in the realm of astronomy.

Common Misspellings for BLUE MOON

• vlue moon
• nlue moon
• hlue moon
• glue moon
• bkue moon
• bpue moon
• boue moon
• blye moon
• blhe moon
• blje moon
• blie moon
• bl8e moon
• bl7e moon
• bluw moon
• blus moon
• blud moon
• blur moon
• blu4 moon
• blu3 moon

Etymology of BLUE MOON

The word "blue moon" originated from a combination of several etymological influences. The term "blue moon" can be traced back to the Old English word "belewe", meaning "blue". However, in this context, "blue" doesn't actually refer to the color but rather to something rare or uncommon. The phrase "blue moon" itself appeared in the English language around the 16th century.

The term gained further prominence due to a misinterpretation in the Maine Farmer's Almanac in 1937. The almanac defined a "blue moon" as the third full moon in a season with four full moons, which is a relatively rare occurrence. However, the almanac mistakenly referred to the second full moon in a month with two full moons as a "blue moon". This incorrect definition gained popular traction and became commonly accepted thereafter.

Idioms with the word BLUE MOON

• once in a blue moon The idiom "once in a blue moon" is used to describe something that happens very rarely or infrequently. It refers to the occurrence of a second full moon within a calendar month, which is considered quite uncommon and happens approximately once every two to three years.
• blue moon The idiom "blue moon" refers to a rare event or occurrence, often used to describe something that happens very infrequently or only once in a long while.