When did "Space" become the accepted terminology for the area beyond the Earth's atmosphere? What, if anything, was it called before it became known as "Space"?
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asked Aug 1, 2013 at 2:42
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3$\begingroup$ @Undo - It's a terminology question, I think it's not necessarily suitable only for English Language & Usage or even English Language Learners, but also equally so on Stack Exchange websites it pertains to. Terminology questions related to Space Exploration can as well be defined here, where they'll possibly be most frequenty mentioned. $\endgroup$– TildalWaveCommented Aug 1, 2013 at 3:39
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1$\begingroup$ Definitely belongs on English Language & Usage $\endgroup$– GwenCommented Aug 1, 2013 at 4:58
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5$\begingroup$ I agree with @TildalWave. It is about terminology. This is relevant for understanding old literature. Space exploration is a rather young field, so changing or adjusted terminology is a relevant issue! $\endgroup$– s-m-eCommented Aug 1, 2013 at 7:07
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1$\begingroup$ This question is relevant to Space Exploration, but we lack the body of experts to properly answer it and evaluate that answer, as evidenced by the fact that the current accepted and most upvoted answer is simply wrong. $\endgroup$– raptortech97Commented Mar 4, 2015 at 10:52
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2$\begingroup$ I’m voting to close this question because it belongs on another Stack Exchange Site (Specifically, English Language Learners) $\endgroup$– ĐαrkraιCommented Apr 12, 2021 at 12:08
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2 Answers
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The English word space originates from Latin word for expanse - spatium (also written spacium in Medieval Latin), and later French word espace, through the use of which English variant space was formed.
The earliest mention of space in relation to the 'outer space' is attributed to the 17th-century English poet John Milton, that used it in his epic poem Paradise Lost to much the same effect we now use it to describe 'outer space' beyond the Earth’s atmosphere too thin for aeronautical purposes (or other non-arbitrary definitions):
When I behold this goodly frame, this World,
Of Heaven and Earth consisting, and compute
Their magnitudes—this Earth, a spot, a grain,
An atom, with the Firmament compared
And all her numbered stars, that seem to roll
Spaces incomprehensible (for such
Their distance argues, and their swift return
Diurnal) merely to officiate light
Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot,
One day and night, in all her vast survey
Useless besides—reasoning, I oft admire,
How Nature, wise and frugal could commit
Such disproportions, with superfluous hand
So many nobler bodies to create,
Greater so manifold, to this one use,
For aught appears, and on their Orbs impose
Such restless revolution day by day
Repeated, while the sedentary Earth,
That better might with far less compass move,
Served by more noble than herself, attains
Her end without least motion, and receives,
As tribute, such a sumless journey brought
Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light;
Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. — viii. 15-38.
Milton's description of the Universe and its celestial bodies is described in detail in The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost', by Thomas Orchard.
answered Aug 1, 2013 at 3:30
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$\begingroup$ What is the literal meaning of the original Latin word? $\endgroup$– user12Commented Aug 1, 2013 at 4:12
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$\begingroup$ @Undo - Expanse. But it would be used in any sense describing time or space (space, room, extent, distance between points, a square, period or interval of time, time or leisure, as with opportunity,...). Also as a quantitative measure, e.g. for "a lot", "much", "all", e.t.c. Etymologically, it comes from the proto Indo-European "spe-" for pulling, stretching, expanding. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 1, 2013 at 4:25
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$\begingroup$ Both @TiltalWave's and @Miltonist's answers refer to John Milton. While an excellent reference, Milton is referring to the vast space within the firmament. He also most eloquently states the Earth is at rest - which of course it is (as opposed to the modern religion of science which states the Earth is a spinning ball flying around in a vacuum). Luckily, @Miltonist goes on to cite even earlier references. $\endgroup$– BruceCommented Apr 11, 2021 at 14:33
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$\begingroup$ Oh how difficult to read any poetry in English! No rhyme ever! $\endgroup$– AnixxCommented Apr 11, 2021 at 19:42
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Milton is not, in fact, the first English author to use 'space' in this sense. He is antedated by Lucy Hutchinson and John Evelyn, both of whom use 'space' to translate 'spatium' in their English versions of Lucretius's De Rerum Natura. Milton probably did help the English sense to catch on, and he too was alluding to Lucretius. By the way, Paradise Lost, book 1, line 650 (which has the singular, 'space may produce new worlds') is a better example to use than the lines in book 8.
