As an expression, it is just an idiom, typically used in the context of storytelling, that signifies an interval of time in the past far removed from the relative time it is uttered.
But to suggest that the expression, "Once upon a time" has true meaning is something you need to elaborate upon. What do you mean by a true meaning as oppossed to a false meaning? Certainly "Once upon a time" does not mean "My dog has fleas" or "The cat is on the mat" and to suggest that it does mean one of those expressions might be construed as a false meaning, but this is mere colloquial usage of truth and falsity.
I'm not clear what you mean by "true meaning" as oppossed to just meaning.
We associate the expression with fairy tales because it is used primarily in a context of storytelling. Uses outside of the storytelling context often make allusions to the storytelling context. When they fail to make such an allusion, one gets the distinct impression that the utterer is not using the expression appropriately according to the standards of the linguistic community to which the utterer is engaged in.
2006-12-08 19:12:50
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answer #1
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answered by lovetheshwee 1
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A phrase used in fairy tales. Meaning a long time ago (no one knows fo sure when) and right away says it's a fiction tale/story...
You don't ever see biographies, text books, or non-fiction novels start with "Once upon a time".
2006-12-08 20:04:28
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answer #2
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answered by zaitsev_v1 3
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Sometime in the past long long ago, used in fairy tales to make them believable assuming it could have happened that long ago though it does not seem likely in recent times.
2006-12-08 19:06:37
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answer #3
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answered by small 7
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It is the Classic Beginning of a children's tale, or fairy story, which is not true - ''Once upon a time there was a little girl who would not eat cabbage......''
2006-12-08 19:01:10
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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"Once upon a time" refers to an occurrence at a time in the past & yet an indeterminate time ago.
You see it occur in non fairy tales too - anything with a non determinate vintage
2006-12-12 00:20:32
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answer #5
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answered by Vaakshri 2
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Yes, so true and as this Scripture comes from James, the NT, it is for Christians and can't be taken any other way. James 2:24 YOU see that a man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone. 25 In the same manner was not also Ra′hab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? 26 Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
2016-05-22 22:25:16
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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The classic fairy tale beginning takes one back in their mind to a simpler more idyllic time.
2006-12-08 19:07:04
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answer #7
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answered by b_steeley 6
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Once upon a time...as in a story...is a set point as a beginning. To the person, to the world the person lived in, to the relationships this person dealt with. It is the beginning before change occurs.
2006-12-08 19:55:09
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answer #8
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answered by G D 2
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once upon a time is a time in the past. we associate it with old stories because that's when they happened and were told.
2006-12-08 20:00:34
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answer #9
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answered by iwondersoiask 4
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long long back there were many wonders in this world which do not exist now. so are many other things like kings , kingdoms customs forests caves, animals etc, That is why we say once upon a time there were lot of forests in this earth
2006-12-08 19:30:13
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answer #10
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answered by Brahmanda 7
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