space cadet

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Noun

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

• space-cadet keyboard