waterhole
The origin and history of waterhole.
Etymology
A plain compound of "water" and "hole." In radio astronomy the term was borrowed by scientist Bernard Oliver in 1971 for a quiet band of the radio spectrum between hydrogen and hydroxyl emission lines, on the idea that alien civilizations might use this "quiet" frequency range to communicate — much like animals gathering at a literal waterhole.
Class of 1971
waterhole first entered the language around 1971. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1971 →