Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
EARTHLING - 2 reference results
Earthling

Earthling refers to an individual of a species originating from earth. Historically the term referred to a mortal inhabitant of the earth (as opposed to immortals from the underworld or heaven.)

Etymology

The term earthling is originally from Old English eorðe (ground, soil, dry land) and the suffix -ling (from Old English -ol, -ul, -el; and -ing, meaning "a person or thing of a specific kind or origin". First used in 1593, earthling (or worldling) referred to a mortal inhabitant of earth as opposed to one from heaven or the underworld.

The first use of the word in the contemporary sense was by science fiction author, Robert A. Heinlein, in Red Planet, 1949.

Usage

  • Mistakenly thought of as only referring to humans, the term may refer to any species: "Russia fetes dog Laika, first earthling in space".
  • The term was often used in 1950's science fiction film and novels by aliens to express a disdainful or patronising tone towards creatures from Earth, however, the term itself carries neither a negative nor a positive tone.
  • Sentient, non-biological forms may also be referred to as earthlings if they originated from earth.

See also

References

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia © 2001-2006 Wikipedia contributors (Disclaimer)
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Monday July 28, 2008 at 06:25:43 PDT (GMT -0700)
View this article at Wikipedia.org - Edit this article at Wikipedia.org - Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation

`Earthling': Bowie's Tame Jungle
Feb 19, 1997; The synthesized thump of "jungle" (a k a "drum and bass") was the hottest thing in London's dance clubs when David Bowie began...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
Camp Earthling Provides A Week Of Summer Fun For Foster Kids
Jun 04, 2005; Atlanta Inquirer 06-04-2005 There are many children in Georgia who are in the custody of the Division of Family and Children...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
CAMP EARTHLING PROVIDES WEEK OF SUMMER FUN FOR FOSTER KIDS
Jun 09, 2006; The Georgia Department of Human Resources issued the following news release: There are many children in Georgia who are in the...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
Earthling helps MCA get Universal Studios' new 'E.T. Adventure' ride off the ground. (Steve Rosenfield, construction manager for amusement park ride)
Jul 01, 1991; Earthling helps MCA get Universal Studios' new |E.T. Adventure' ride off the ground Show-biz conglomerate MCA Inc. opened its $50...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
Bowie lands with `Earthling'
Feb 11, 1997; One of rock's oldest chameleons, David Bowie, delivers his first self-produced album in 23 years, this week with the arrival of...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
HighBeam Research, Inc. © Copyright 2009.

Search another word or see EARTHLING on Dictionary | Thesaurus