Hello! We are six students of English Studies from University of Seville, and this is a project of New Technologies Applied to English Language.

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

- MEANING

If something happens once in a blue moon, it occurs very rarely.

- ORIGIN

Today it means very rarely, but originally it used to mean something that was absurd, right along the lines of "when pigs fly". The first recorded use of a form of the phrase is in an anti-clerical pamphlet published in 1528 by William Roy and Jeremy Barlowe. In a conversation between these two characters, one say: "yf they say the mone is blewe", It appears to be a reference to priest at the time making statements and expecting the average person to believe they were true.

As stated, in the early days the definition meant something that was impossible or would never happen; it wasn't until 1821 with the publication of Real Life in London by Pierce Egan that we see "once in a blue moon" meaning "rarely".

- EXAMPLES

• My son lives in New Zealand and she only comes to see us once in a blue moon; maybe evrery four years.
• We live in a town in the desert now. It's hot and dry most days, and once in a blue moon it will rain.    

   TO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET

     

      - MEANING

To treat someone very well, like royalty.

- ORIGIN

It is based on the use of red carpets for important events where, normally, important people such as monarchs or artist appear.

- EXAMPLES

• Our most important client is coming  to the enterprise next week, so let's roll out the red carpet and take him out to dinner.
• That man is such an habitual client in that restaurant that every time he goes there, it seems they roll out a red carpet.

   WAVE A WHITE FLAG

   

     - MEANING

     Universal symbol meaning truce or surrender.

     - ORIGIN

       The first mention of the usage of white flags to surrender is made during the Eastern Han dinasty (A.D. 25-220). In the Roman Empire the historian Cornelius Tacitus mentions a white flag of surrender in A.D. 109. Before that time, Roman armies would surrender by holding their shields above their heads. The white flag was widely used in the Middle Ages in Western Europe to indicate an intent to surrender. The colour white was used generally to indicate a person was exempt from combat; heralds bore white wands, prisoners or hostages captured in battle would attach a piece of white paper to their hat or helmet, and garrisons that had surrendered and been promised safe passage would carry white batons.

     - EXAMPLES 

• The enemy waved a white flag as symbol of surrender.
• After the argument, Tom waved a white flag.

As this week "there are colours everywhere", let's listen to She's a Rainbow, by The Rolling Stones!!