The Man in the Moon

The Man in the Moon drops to Earth, gets lost on the way to Norwich, heads off in the wrong direction, and somehow burns his mouth on cold plum porridge. It is nonsense from start to finish, the joke being a character so confused he can scald himself on something cold.

Origins

The character of the Man in the Moon has ancient roots in European folklore, appearing in medieval stories as a peasant banished to the moon for gathering firewood on a Sunday. William Shakespeare referenced the legend in A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest. The specific nursery rhyme regarding the journey to Norwich first appeared in print in 1784 in Joseph Ritson's compilation Gammer Gurton's Garland.

Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics are generally viewed by folklore scholars as a work of literary nonsense with no hidden political or historical meaning. The humor comes from the absurdity of the Man in the Moon getting lost and traveling in the wrong direction to Norwich. The rhyme notes that he "burnt his mouth / With eating cold plum porridge." In medieval and early modern England, plum porridge was a savory, thick soup made from meat broth, breadcrumbs, dried fruits, and spices, which was traditionally served during winter celebrations. Over the centuries, the recipe evolved, eventually becoming the sweet plum pudding served at Christmas. The joke in the rhyme is the physical impossibility of burning one's mouth on cold porridge, highlighting the character's general confusion.

What is the meaning of The Man in the Moon?

The rhyme is a work of traditional nonsense verse about a character who falls from the moon, asks for directions to Norwich, and tries to eat cold plum porridge. It has no deep historical meaning and is used as a playful chant.

When was The Man in the Moon first published?

The nursery rhyme was first published in print in 1784 in the collection Gammer Gurton's Garland, compiled by Joseph Ritson.