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Space cadet has been used derogatorily since the late 1970s, but long before then it referred to the rank that the character Matt Dodson hoped to achieve in Robert Heinlein's 1948 novel Space Cadet. Other writers of futuristic fiction followed Heinlein's lead, using the word in reference to young astronauts. From there the meaning broadened to cover any space travel enthusiast. Today the word is occasionally used as a slang word for a pilot who shows off, but it most commonly refers to those of us who may seem to have our minds in outer space while our bodies remain earthbound.
Examples of space cadet in a Sentence
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 19 Sep. 2024
On Michaels Under adult supervision, a little space cadet can create five colorful, rubbery planet models in just minutes using a spherical mold and polymer granules.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 22 Nov. 2023
In Asteroid City, a space cadet convention in an American desert town in 1955 is disrupted by world-changing events.
—Tommy Cummings, Dallas News, 2 June 2023
But unfortunately for the space cadet, everyone else put on their best performances, too.
—Ree Hines, Forbes, 3 May 2023
Feel like a space cadet?
—USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2023
And Affleck makes Knight a Zen-adjacent space cadet, all eager to quote Buddha.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2023
While fans rejoice in a handsome space cadet, not all are happy with the changes to the original character.
—Vulture, 1 July 2022
Then Paul Rudd as Paris is a bit on the outside, and a bit of a space cadet, so an astronaut felt right.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Space cadet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/space%20cadet. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
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