Discover these celestial treasures

Do you know what the phrase "once in a blue moon" means?

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The night sky has fascinated humankind since the dawn of time. Think about all the constellations, stories, and myths that revolve around the stars above. Our species has always looked to the sky in wonder, gazing in awe at the thousands upon thousands of stars, planets, and comets that can be regularly seen. In that sense, it seems only logical that something so profoundly significant would influence the way we communicate with one another. With that in mind, we have selected 10 of our favorite astronomy-related idioms, hoping to convey some of the wonder the sky has to offer. Enjoy!

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As we mentioned, the stars above have been a source of wonder for humankind throughout history, so it stands to reason that we would associate something as magical as our luck with them. The phrase "thank your lucky stars" is fairly self-explanatory: it is used to express gratitude to something greater than ourselves for our good fortune, especially when we narrowly avoid a bad situation.

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Have you ever seen a blue moon? Probably not, considering how rarely our beloved satellite takes on a bluish tint. It is precisely this rare occurrence that gives the idiom its meaning: "Once in a blue moon" describes something that happens only on rare occasions. For instance, you might see your in-laws or a distant relative once in a blue moon. This idiom originated in 19th-century England, where the idea of seeing a blue moon was considered borderline absurd.

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In ancient times, constellations told stories. These distant dots in the sky wove tales of legendary heroes, fearsome monsters, and thrilling adventures. Many of those stories have endured to this day. Some of us routinely check our horoscopes to see what the stars reveal about our future. In that sense, the idiom "written in the stars" describes an event that seems destined to happen. It conveys the idea that whatever is written in the stars—whether good or bad—is inevitable.

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When it comes to setting goals, what could be higher than the sky itself? The phrase "shoot for the stars" is deeply inspirational—it means to set ambitious goals in order to reach our highest potential. Interestingly, this idiom is similar to another sky-related phrase that is also known for its motivational message: "The sky is the limit."

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Have you ever felt so incredibly happy that it seemed like your feet were lifting off the ground? The idiom "over the moon" captures a similar sensation—though it takes things a bit farther. It describes an intense feeling of joy or excitement. While the exact origins of this phrase are unknown, many believe it stems from exaggerating the small, joyful jumps one might make when feeling ecstatic.

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Space seems like the perfect place to drift off and think about nothing, doesn’t it? Granted, we’ve never been to outer space, but its vastness feels ideal for those who want to clear their minds. Anyway, where were we? Sorry, we spaced out—after all, this idiom describes someone who loses focus and stops noticing what’s happening around them. It gained particular popularity in the 1960s, during the height of the space race.

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Similar to "space out," someone who is "living on another planet" is completely oblivious to the events around them or out of touch with reality. For instance, a person unaware of recent news or misinformed about current events might be described this way. Now, whether being the recipient of this phrase instantly turns you into an extraterrestrial is something we can neither confirm nor deny at this moment.

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Like a blazing meteorite crashing to Earth, something that is "out of this world" is simply extraordinary. For instance, an "out of this world" meal is one of superb quality. This idiom first appeared in the 20th century and stems from our long-standing fascination with outer space—after all, anything beyond our planet must be remarkable since it defies our understanding.

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Let’s say you’re working on an assignment, but your friend is spacing out and not doing their share of the work—it’s now your job to get them to focus. Continuing with this metaphor, your friend might be drifting aimlessly through outer space, while you’re tasked with bringing them back to reality. In that sense, the phrase "bring someone down to Earth" means to make someone face reality, even if it involves revealing some hard truths along the way.

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You’ve probably noticed that most of the idioms in this article refer to things visible in the night sky, so why not conclude by honoring the most important celestial body in our solar system? The phrase "everything under the sun" is used to refer to, well, everything—or at least everything found on our planet. Interestingly, this does leave out countless stars and galaxies, but the phrase’s meaning remains too powerful to ignore.

From head to toe

This is what happens when you crack your knuckles! 10 human body myths

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Is it true that we only use 10% of our brains? Do carrots really improve your vision? Science has spoken and said, "Fake!" There are many widely believed myths about the human body, but despite their popularity and long history, it has been proven that most of these claims are actually not true. Join us as we uncover 10 myths about the human body that have been debunked!

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What do you usually do when you're nervous? Some people tap their feet, others fuss with their hair, and some crack their knuckles like a fireworks show on the 4th of July. If you belong to the last group, this info will help you.

There's a common myth that cracking your joints can cause you to develop arthritis. However, while most doctors advise against making a habit of this practice, there isn't enough scientific evidence to establish a direct link between the cracking (caused by gas bubbles forming and collapsing) and arthritis.

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You've probably heard that shaving makes body hair grow thicker and darker. But this is a myth!

While it may seem like the hair grows back thicker, there's actually a simple explanation for this. The razor cuts the hair at the surface of the skin, leaving a blunt tip. As the hair grows back, that tip feels sharp to the touch, which is why we tend to believe that the hair has become thicker. In contrast, when you wax, every hair is removed from the root, so it grows back with a softer tip.

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This is one of the most famous myths related to the human body. Although it's quite interesting, it's actually false that we only use a small percentage of our brains.

Neuroscience has shown that we use all of our brain, with distinct parts dedicated to different functions. In fact, various tests, such as MRI and PET scans, reveal that different areas of our brain are active even when we're asleep.

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Carrots' high vitamin A content can help maintain eye health. However, this vegetable won't make you skip the eye doctor.

Perhaps this is bad news for Bugs Bunny, but the myth that eating carrots drastically improves vision has already been disproved. This idea is thought to have arisen during WWII when it was suggested that eating carrots helped British pilots see better at night. In reality, the pilots' improved vision was due to the use of radar, but the association between carrots and better vision stuck.

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There was a theory that the human body can't produce new neurons after a certain age. That's a bit scary, isn't it? Fortunately, neuroscience has once again put on its gloves to prove this is a myth.

It has been shown that our body is indeed capable of producing new neurons through a process called "neurogenesis." Although less frequent than in childhood, neurogenesis does occur in adulthood and is boosted by physical exercise and mental stimulation.

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Remember that time when you accidentally swallowed gum, and an adult told you it would stay stuck in your stomach for years? Well, thankfully, that's just a myth!

Although your body can't digest gum like other foods, the natural movement of your digestive system helps it pass through and eventually be expelled.

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For years, egg yolks have been viewed with suspicion. Many believed they were bad for your heart or could significantly raise your blood cholesterol levels.

However, recent studies suggest that if you're not at risk or don't have specific cholesterol-related issues, there's no need to worry much about egg yolks.

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There's a well-known idea that swimming after eating is dangerous to your health and can cause cramps. Remember those moments of staring longingly at the pool, counting down the mandatory 30 minutes after eating? Thankfully, this wait is no longer necessary, as that idea has been discredited as a myth!

While you may feel a little heavy if you go swimming shortly after a meal, the truth is, under normal conditions, swimming with food in your stomach is generally considered safe.

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Often portrayed in movies, TV shows, and cartoons, there's this idea that waking a sleepwalker can have fatal consequences. But it turns out that there's no need to fear, as science has confirmed that as a myth.

However, while it's safe to (gently) wake a sleepwalker, it's generally better to simply guide them calmly back to bed instead.

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It has long been believed that a person's nails and hair continue to grow even after passing away. Although there are reasons to believe it, this creepy myth has been disproved.

What actually happens is that the skin dehydrates and retracts, creating the illusion that the nails or hair are longer. Both hair and nails require living cells and a blood supply to grow.