Origin of “[noun]-shaped object” as a negative phrase?
I've seen this type of phrase used in many different contexts to mean "something with the form of an object but lacking substance or quality".
Examples:
- Wal-Mart bikes are sometimes called "bike-shaped objects" in the cyclist world for their tendency to break down
- Valve at one point referred to fake/scam games on Steam as "game-shaped objects"
I tried doing a google ngram search for "*_NOUN shaped object", but it only came back with "disc shaped object", "cone shaped object", etc., suggesting those are referring to the actual shape and not using it as a derogatory remark.
Can anyone find the origin (or an early usage) of this phrase with the given meaning?
etymology phrase-origin
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
add a comment |
I've seen this type of phrase used in many different contexts to mean "something with the form of an object but lacking substance or quality".
Examples:
- Wal-Mart bikes are sometimes called "bike-shaped objects" in the cyclist world for their tendency to break down
- Valve at one point referred to fake/scam games on Steam as "game-shaped objects"
I tried doing a google ngram search for "*_NOUN shaped object", but it only came back with "disc shaped object", "cone shaped object", etc., suggesting those are referring to the actual shape and not using it as a derogatory remark.
Can anyone find the origin (or an early usage) of this phrase with the given meaning?
etymology phrase-origin
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
It just seems like a general form of sarcasm.
– Barmar
4 hours ago
add a comment |
I've seen this type of phrase used in many different contexts to mean "something with the form of an object but lacking substance or quality".
Examples:
- Wal-Mart bikes are sometimes called "bike-shaped objects" in the cyclist world for their tendency to break down
- Valve at one point referred to fake/scam games on Steam as "game-shaped objects"
I tried doing a google ngram search for "*_NOUN shaped object", but it only came back with "disc shaped object", "cone shaped object", etc., suggesting those are referring to the actual shape and not using it as a derogatory remark.
Can anyone find the origin (or an early usage) of this phrase with the given meaning?
etymology phrase-origin
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
I've seen this type of phrase used in many different contexts to mean "something with the form of an object but lacking substance or quality".
Examples:
- Wal-Mart bikes are sometimes called "bike-shaped objects" in the cyclist world for their tendency to break down
- Valve at one point referred to fake/scam games on Steam as "game-shaped objects"
I tried doing a google ngram search for "*_NOUN shaped object", but it only came back with "disc shaped object", "cone shaped object", etc., suggesting those are referring to the actual shape and not using it as a derogatory remark.
Can anyone find the origin (or an early usage) of this phrase with the given meaning?
etymology phrase-origin
etymology phrase-origin
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
asked 8 hours ago
Patrick NPatrick N
21316
21316
It just seems like a general form of sarcasm.
– Barmar
4 hours ago
add a comment |
It just seems like a general form of sarcasm.
– Barmar
4 hours ago
It just seems like a general form of sarcasm.
– Barmar
4 hours ago
It just seems like a general form of sarcasm.
– Barmar
4 hours ago
add a comment |
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It just seems like a general form of sarcasm.
– Barmar
4 hours ago