The English word “month,” for example, comes from the Old English “mōnath,” related to “mōna,” meaning moon — no great surprise considering the length of a month is about the length of a lunar cycle. The words “lunatic” and “lunacy” come from the Latin root “luna,” meaning “moon.” You see the same thing in other Latin-based languages, like Italian, French, and Portuguese. But that’s not all; the Dutch, Russian, and German words for “lunatic” all stem from the words for “moon” in those languages as well. These etymologies reflect the long-held belief that human behavior was affected by the cycles of the Moon — the root of the werewolf myth.

The Moon also holds a special place in the language of romance. You might find yourself mooning over a crush or promising your new sweetheart the Moon, planning a romantic walk in the moonlight, or going on your honeymoon. It’s hard to avoid Earth’s natural satellite when you’re in love.

Although how we think about the Moon has changed over millennia, what remains constant is its place in Earth’s cultures. As we explore and maybe even build settlements on our celestial neighbor, there’s no doubt that the Moon will take on new meaning in the words and stories of future cultures.