space opera
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English
Etymology
Coined by fan and writer Wilson "Bob" Tucker in 1941. The term was originally derived from the term horse opera to describe a specific, hackneyed science fiction writing style.
Noun
space opera (countable and uncountable, plural space operas)
- (initially derogatory) A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes space travel, romantic adventure, and larger-than-life characters often set against vast exotic settings.
- 1941 January, "Bob" Tucker, Le Zombie, number 36, page 9:
- SUGGESTION DEPT: In these hectic days of phrase-coining, we offer one. Westerns are called "horse operas", the morning housewife tear-jerkers are called "soap operas". For the hacky, grinding, stinking, outworn space-ship yarn, or world-saving for that matter, we offer "space opera"
- A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that uses serialization.
- (countable) A work or production in this style.
Descendants
- → Dutch: ruimteopera (calque)
- → German: Weltraumoper (calque)
Translations
subgenre of speculative fiction
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subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that utilizes serialisation
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a work or production
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See also
Spanish
Alternative forms
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from English.
Pronunciation
Noun
space opera f (plural space operas)
Usage notes
According to Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) prescriptions, unadapted foreign words should be written in italics in a text printed in roman type, and vice versa, and in quotation marks in a manuscript text or when italics are not available. In practice, this RAE prescription is not always followed.