“I Saw a UFO”: A Changing Meaning
Does anyone else feel that the phrase “I saw a UFO” carries a different meaning now than it used to?
When I was younger (I can’t believe I’m 55—where did the time go?), saying “I saw a UFO” typically meant you witnessed:
1) An actual craft—like a saucer or a “cigar-shaped object.” Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time someone claimed to see a flying cigar…
2) A bright object moving in impossible ways. Back then, we didn’t have drones; our flying toys were limited to kites shaped like bats.
3) Landings where humanoid beings would emerge, freeze people in their cars, abduct them, share alarming messages about the environment, perform mysterious procedures, and then return them home.
These days, it seems like everyone has had a UFO sighting. I can’t help but feel a bit envious—I’ve yet to experience anything beyond a few photos and videos.
Unfortunately, those images often fail to capture the magic of a true sighting because…
It seems like the meaning of “UFO” has definitely shifted over the years! In the past, the term evoked images of mysterious, alien spacecraft with elaborate backstories of encounters. Now, with advances in technology and the prevalence of drones, atmospheric phenomena, and military aircraft, people often use “UFO” to describe anything they can’t immediately identify in the sky.
It can be frustrating to feel left out of the UFO sightings club, especially when so many people seem to have had their share of “close encounters.” But maybe that’s part of the allure of UFOs today—there’s so much variety in experiences and interpretations. Plus, the sheer volume of content being shared nowadays can make it feel like everyone is having these incredible encounters while you’re just watching from the sidelines.
While sightings might be more common, they also come with skepticism and debate over what’s real and what’s a hoax. The excitement is still there, though! Maybe the next time you look up at the sky, you’ll be the one who sees something amazing—after all, you never know what could be out there waiting to be discovered. Keep looking up!