> BTW, this isn't a real thing

Yes, the dark side of the Moon is a real thing. It's the side that doesn't get Earth-lit nights.

That's an odd convoluted definition that I've never heard of before.

I think the point the other poster was making is that "far side of the moon" is far more specific, accurate and useful term.

> That's an odd convoluted definition that I've never heard of before

It's a “definition” in the sense that it is a description semantically equivalent to what the phrase “dark side of the moon” has always referred to; it is not, however, a description of the etymology of the term, which derives instead from the long established use of “dark” to mean mysterious, hidden from knowledge, obscure, occult, etc.

In this case, silent side of the moon is more useful, since that's why it's so attractive to scientists.

What I meant by dark side is "The hidden side" since that side is always hidden from Earth (similar when I say your dark side i do not mean you have a side that is not in the light), I am aware some people may misunderstand this expresion, but "far side" is not as expressive since it is missing the part of "always hidden"