space cadet

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From the title of the 1948 juvenile science fiction novel Space Cadet, by Robert Heinlein.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • Audio (AU)(file)

Noun[edit]

space cadet (plural space cadets)

  1. (originally) A person in training to be a (generally military) astronaut, especially in science fiction.
  2. (slang, derogatory) One who deals with reality in a way consistent with being under the influence of (or "spaced out on") drugs.
    Synonym: space case
  3. (slang, derogatory) One who forgets, daydreams, or otherwise is distracted from reality more often than most.

Derived terms[edit]

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