Fluther: Why do you call them EXTRAterrestrials?

Why do you call them EXTRAterrestrials?

Asked by Mtl_zack (6778

) January 11th, 2009
15 responses
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Doesn’t that mean that they are more earthly than things that already live on earth?

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Topics: words, Earth, aliens

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Extra-
A prefix meaning “outside,” “beyond,” freely used as an English formative: extrajudicial; extraterritorial; extra-atmospheric and of course, extraterrestrial.

Terrestrial-
Of or pertaining to the earth or this world; worldly; mundane.

So, beyond earth. :)

asmonet (21445

)“Great Answer” (10

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asmonet is extra special.

(Extra, as in even more so.)

AstroChuck (37659

)“Great Answer” (3

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<<blush>>

asmonet (21445

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I thought that extra meant “more so”. That definition cleared a lot up. Lurve.

Mtl_zack (6778

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Extraordinary, extradition, extravagant, extrovert, extragalactic,....

gailcalled (54644

)“Great Answer” (2

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@Mtl_zack: It can mean that too. One is the prefix and one is the adjective. :D

asmonet (21445

)“Great Answer” (2

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…extraneous, extrapolate, extrasensory…

And both come out of the same Latin source. The idea of “beyond” or “outside of” is present in the adjective as well as the prefix.

Jeruba (55875

)“Great Answer” (1

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@Jeruba: Show off.

asmonet (21445

)“Great Answer” (0

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Miss Fifield, tenth grade.

Jeruba (55875

)“Great Answer” (3

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doesnt matter cos it wouldnt mean anything to them anyways

ipsskunk (90

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my agent says they’re “stand-ins”
Hey, “All the world is a Stage and WE are merely the Actors”.
They never get the full spotlight, always paid the least.
Why do you think they come and go so fast?
When did any real Alien ever get an “Oscar”?
Go figure. Read the fine print.

vanslonski (210

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^ Um, what?

asmonet (21445

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I think it’s a play on extras, as in the theatre, supposing that the parts of aliens were all being played by extraterrestrial extras.

Jeruba (55875

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whats E.T. short for….....