Flying Spaghetti Monster

9.9

A made-up god used to make fun of religious arguments

proper noun

Texting

: Monstruo Volador de Espagueti

Many people believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster as a humorous critique of organized religion.

Examples

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is often used to illustrate the absurdity of some religious arguments.
Many people reference the Flying Spaghetti Monster in debates about science and religion.
Her T-shirt with the Flying Spaghetti Monster logo sparked conversations at the campus event.
Some atheists use the Flying Spaghetti Monster as a symbol of secularism.
Her T-shirt with the Flying Spaghetti Monster logo sparked conversations at the campus event.
Many people reference the Flying Spaghetti Monster in debates about science and religion.
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is often used to illustrate the absurdity of some religious arguments.

Synonyms

monster

vsFlying Spaghetti Monster

Offensive

395 2.5

A very large person or animal with a strange, frightening body

is a satirical religious figure rather than a dangerous abnormal being

deity

vsFlying Spaghetti Monster

62 7.4

A god or goddess that people worship and think has power over part of the world

is a satirical figure created to mock religious belief

divinity

vsFlying Spaghetti Monster

14 7.9

A god worshipped as controlling a part of nature

is used to parody religious ideas rather than signal genuine sacred power

mythical creature

vsFlying Spaghetti Monster

4 5.9

An imaginary being like a dragon or unicorn with magical powers

is an invented satirical symbol aimed at mocking religious arguments

mythical being

vsFlying Spaghetti Monster

1 6.5

A made-up creature from old stories or folk tales

is created as a playful religious parody not rooted in old folklore

mythological figure

vsFlying Spaghetti Monster

Literature

1 5.8

A character from traditional stories who has magical powers

is a modern satirical invention rather than a traditional myth character

mythical monster

vsFlying Spaghetti Monster

1 8.1

A frightening creature from stories or legends that is not real

is meant as satirical religion critique rather than as a fearsome beast

Surface Forms

Flying Spaghetti Monster main

Morphology

flying + spaghetti + monster

A B1 learner who knows 'flying', 'spaghetti' and 'monster' would readily form a literal image of a monster made of spaghetti that flies, so the basic compositional sense is clear. However, the phrase refers to a specific satirical deity and a cultural/parodic movement mocking religion—pragmatic and cultural meaning that cannot be derived from the parts—so the full interpretation is not predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Flying Spaghetti Monster comes from a joke story in which a god is imagined as a flying pile of spaghetti and meatballs, a funny monster made of food. That's why people use the Flying Spaghetti Monster today as a 'parody' god to 'mock' weak arguments for God and as a 'symbol' of 'non-religious' or scientific views.