blue moon
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Puzzle #302 · March 30, 2026
A blue moon has two definitions: the second full moon in a single calendar month (the more popular usage), or the third full moon in an astronomical season that has four. Either way, it's relatively rare—occurring roughly every two and a half years.
The phrase “once in a blue moon” means something that happens very infrequently. The expression dates to at least the 1500s, though its original meaning was closer to “never” or “absurdly.”
Blue Moon is also a classic 1934 Rodgers and Hart song that became a pop standard, recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley. And Blue Moon is a popular brand of Belgian-style wheat beer brewed in Colorado.
The phrase “once in a blue moon” means something that happens very infrequently. The expression dates to at least the 1500s, though its original meaning was closer to “never” or “absurdly.”
Blue Moon is also a classic 1934 Rodgers and Hart song that became a pop standard, recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley. And Blue Moon is a popular brand of Belgian-style wheat beer brewed in Colorado.
Puzzle Appearances
The expression blue moon has appeared in 1 puzzle:
- Puzzle #302 on March 30, 2026
Rate of Appearance in English Language Print
Google's Ngram project shows how often a pair of words has appeared in print every year since the 1800's.
Data from Google Books Ngram Viewer. Licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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