unwaith yn y pedwar amser

Welsh

Etymology

Literally, “once in the four seasons”.

Phrase

unwaith yn y pedwar amser

  1. (idiomatic) once in a blue moon, very rarely
  • bwyta uwd â mynawyd (“to herd cats”, literally “to eat porridge with an awl”)
  • tan ddydd Sul y pys (“when pigs fly”, literally “until the peas' Sunday”)
  • pan fydd yr Wyddfa’n gaws (“when pigs fly”, literally “when Snowdon is made of cheese”)
  • pan fydd Nadolig yn yr haf, a gwsberis yn y gaeaf (literally “when Christmas will be in the summer and goosberries in winter”)
  • pan fydd uffern yn rhewi drosodd (“when Hell freezes over”)
  • unwaith yn y pedwar gwynt (“once in a blue moon”, literally “once in the four winds”)

Further reading

  • D. G. Lewis, N. Lewis, editors (2005–present), “unwaith”, in Gweiadur: the Welsh–English Dictionary, Gwerin
  • R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “unwaith yn y pedwar amser”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
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