God of the gaps

English

Etymology

Attributed to Charles Coulson (1910−1974), though the concept was discussed significantly earlier.

Proper noun

God of the gaps

1. A God whose existence is put forward as an explanation for anything as yet unexplained by science.
   • 2007, "Worried about my future family." Axismundi, July 2007, Internet Infidels Discussion Board.

     With every new discovery, the 'god of the gaps' has fewer places to hide.

Derived terms

• evolution of the gaps