Big Dumb Object

English

A monolith, a common example of a Big Dumb Object

Etymology

Coined by British critic and writer Roz Kaveney in 1981.

Noun

Big Dumb Object (plural Big Dumb Objects)

1. (science fiction criticism, ironic) A large and mysterious object of extraterrestrial origin containing immense power, thought of as a common trope of science fiction.

Derived terms

• BDO (abbreviation)

References

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “Big Dumb Object, n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.