Linguistics question

[Mind_your_head]

Please supply/post YOUR best definition of the following terms:

- extraterrestrial

- alien

(is an extraterrestrial any different than an 'alien'? Remember this is a linguist asking you the question.

- space alien

- UFO (Unidentified Flying Object)

[chknltl]

1. OK

extraterrestrial- something or someone not from Terra. (Earth)

alien- something or someone foreign to an area.

space alien- an extraterrestrial.

UFO- an unidentified flying object.

Sorry, I guess I don't get it but those are my uses of these four words...I hope it was somehow helpful.

[Mind_your_head]

2. thank you for answering.....

I think UFO is the toughest question though......people ADD so much to that definition.

That an Unidentified Flying Object means it's an "extraterrestrial" (being not from earth) is inept. An UFO can mean a spitball that you didn't see 'Johnny schwartz' launch.....THAT spitball (that came from seemingly 'nowhere', from your perception) is an 'unidentifed flying object' (aka: UFO)

.....that's my 'point'

on edit: I'm not explaining this idea very well. g'nite.

[Demit]

4. your linguist would correct you on using 'inept' when you mean 'inapt'.

:)

[Mind_your_head]

6. Thank you for the correction.

:-)

[RNdaSilva]

3. Extraterrestrial UFO ... if conclusive.

Extraterrestrial Alien...if from Mars or beyond, but not Mexico.

[Swamp Rat]

5. Bushler&Co

[BlooInBloo]

7. Bullshit. A linguist - or anybody who cares more about words than making shit up...

would know that "alien" comes from Latin via French, "alienus" meaning "of or belonging to another".

The application of the word "alien" to little green men is much more recent than the well-meaning but stupid ahistorical among us would have us believe. That usage quite possibly originates with H.G. Wells or some such.


EDIT: Apparently the use of "alien" as "foreigner" goes back to the middle ages. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=alien&searchmode=none

[Mind_your_head]

9. A worthy kick

:kick:

[Speck Tater]

8. Extraterrestrial:

Each person who is beyond the carrying capacity of planet Earth.

Suppose the Earth's carrying capacity is 6 billion, then if there are 9 billion people on the planet, there are 3 billion extraterrestrials. (See also: "excess terrestrial", "overshoot")

;) ;) ;)

[Occam Bandage]

10. Sure.

As nouns:

1a. An entity originating from a location not on the planet on which it is currently.
1b. An entity originating from a location not on the planet on which the speaker is currently, or the planet of which the speaker is referring.

2. An entity belonging to, characteristic of, or constituting a foreign place.

3. A being which is extraterrestrial in origin.

4. Pass.

[Mind_your_head]

11. Interesting. Why do you "pass" on the definition of UFO?

It's the easiest/yet most difficult question to answer, imho.

Peace,
M_Y_H

[Occam Bandage]

12. For the reason you state, of course.

[Mind_your_head]

13. I revert to the fictional "Johnny Schwartz's" spitballs analogy then.....

Unidentified Flying Objects.....

on edit: we're prbably coming from the same 'camp'....perhaps we could 'sharpen the sword' by playing off of each other....but that's just kinda 'stupid'/wasteful of each of our time and limited talents, so I will digress.....

Peace and best wishes,
M_Y_H