What is the origin of the phrase 'Once in a blue moon'?

Answer 1

a blue moon is the second full moon in a month, which is an extremely rare occurrence, hence something which happens once in a blue moon is something which happens very rarely

Answer 2

Sorry Don't know the origin of the phrase but I do know the phrase isn't really referring to a moon it's an expression referring to an eclipse.
It sounds better to say Once in a blue moon
than Once in a eclipse.
Lazy people I might help.. Once in a blue Moon! I do use that phrase quite often!
To shut up the Insulters accusing me of something I disagree with.. I recently did say maybe once in a blue moon!
in other words once in a blue moon means
almost never. I suspect those that started the Never Say Never originated the phrase Once In a Blue Moon!

Answer 3

Meaning

A very rare event.

Origin

A blue moon was originally cited as something impossible and later came to mean unlikely. There are rare examples of the moon actually appearing blue, after volcanic eruptions or unusual weather conditions. Another possible derivation is from The Maine Farmers' Almanac. When there were two full moons in a calendar month the first was printed in red, the second in blue.

Answer 4

Since a blue moon is a rare occurence- people use it to refer to how often they may do something. For example: Someone might say they go hunting, once in a blue moon.

Answer 5

ACTUALLY, BLUE MOON IS AN EVENT, WHEN TWO FULL MOONS APPEAR IN A SINGLE MONTH, WHICH IS A RARE EVENT. ON THIS BASIS, THE IDIOM WAS FORMED.

Answer 6

It happens every few years that there is two full moons in one month

Answer 7

two full moons in one month

Answer 8

The meaning is "Very rarely"

Answer 9

Try this

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/07jul_bluemoon.html

hope it helps.

Answer 10

very rare.not often