Earthperson

English

Etymology

From Earth +‎ person.

Noun

Earthperson (plural Earthpersons or Earthpeople)

1. (usually science fiction) An inhabitant of the planet Earth.
   • 1953 May, Eando Binder, “Interplanetary Tenements”, in Captain Marvel Adventures‎^[1], volume 24, number 144, page (inside front cover):

     The Venusians, unlike other planetary races, were almost like Earthpeople. There was only one notable difference—they had feathers on their heads instead of hair.

   • 1956, Philip Kindred Dick, The World Jones Made, page 198:

     And beyond that, the most important equipment of all: the manufacturing units that processed the Earthpeople's food.

   • 1974, Donald Newlove, The Drunks, page 140:

     My last act as an earthperson, she says, was t' snatch off my landlawd's glasses and punch and punch 'im in the nose.

   • 1983, James White, Sector General, page 24:

     "That was an ingenious idea, Earthperson," it said slowly. "There is now a beneficent atmosphere surrounding my pressure envelope, which will enable me to repair the torn fabric and survive until Illensan assistance arrives. Thank you."

   • 1986, Arthur C. Clarke, The Songs of Distant Earth, page 81:

     It was Tarna's first demonstration of Earthpersons—or rather Earth robots—in action, an the villagers were hugely impressed.

Synonyms

• Earthling, Terran, Tellurian, see also Thesaurus:Earthling

Antonyms

• alien, extraterrestrial, see also Thesaurus:extraterrestrial

Hypernyms

• Solarian

Hyponyms

• Earthgirl, Earthman, Earthwoman

References

• Jeff Prucher, editor (2007), “Earthperson”, in Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction, Oxford, Oxfordshire, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 47.
• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “earthperson n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.