flying saucer

Definition

A disc-shaped unidentified flying object or UFO; originally in reference to sightings by aviator Kenneth Arnold in Washington in 1947.

Etymology

From an interview given by amateur pilot Kenneth Arnold who described seeing nine flying objects that were "moving like saucers being skimmed across a lake". The description was not meant to describe the shape of the objects, only how they maneuvered, yet the misinterpretation took hold and gained popularity.

Example Sentences

• "Some connect the recent spate of flying saucer sightings with a rumored top-secret military aviation project."
• "An engram is NOT [...] One of the little green men Americans claim have crashed in flying saucers."