Some meaningless knowledge never goes astray.
When you stop to consider it, there are so many weird historical traditions and phrases when it comes to weddings that we don't even bat an eyelid at.
Like for example, why does the bride always have to stand on the left? The answer to that one is actually a little dark.
Or why does she need something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?
We could go on and on...
But right now, we're just going to focus on one... where on earth did the phrase 'honeymoon' come from?
Separately the words aren't related at all, but together they form a phrase we all instantly recognise.
Here's what it means.
The origins of the word are actually quite simple, and honestly it's still more or less going on today - except at this exact moment in time for obvious global pandemic reasons.
According to dictionary.com, the term “Honeymoon” dates back to the 5th century, when some cultures would use the cycle of the moon to keep track of days and months.
And when a couple at that time tied the knot, they would then escape everyday life for a while - just like we still do now.
Except back them, the 'escape' would typically last for an entire month, which is of course a full moon cycle. Hence where the 'moon' part of the word came from.
But what about the honey? Well it wouldn't be a honeymoon without a few drinks for the happy couple to celebrate right?
So as a wedding gift the newlyweds would be given enough mead (a honey based alcoholic drink) to last them the duration of their time away.
The honey is also thought to have represented the 'new sweetness' between the pair.
Which ladies and gentlemen is where the term "honeymoon" originated.
There you go, if this question ever pops up during a trivia night, you're now officially sorted.
