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What does “avere la luna storta” mean in Italian?

Italians blame the moon for a bad mood: avere la luna storta, “to have a crooked moon,” means to be irritable, touchy, off — and often without any obvious cause. You can also have it before you’re out of bed: svegliarsi con la luna storta, “to wake up on the wrong side.” It’s the everyday way to explain a grumpy day to someone, no apology required.

The image goes back to old folk belief — like the tides, the moon was thought to pull on the mind, the same idea behind English “lunatic” and “moonstruck.” In the clip the father describes a child sensing his dark moods even when nothing is said: “se io c’ho la luna storta per una cavolata, lei lo somatizza.” Standard register, used affectionately and constantly.