I believe the term "little green men" was concocted by early debunkers of UFO sightings, rather than by supporters of same. Can anyone verify that? It reminds me of people who routinely refer to chiropractors as "quacks", though they usually know very little about chiropractic.

I don't think there's ever been a UFO sighting on record where the witnesses to the event described seeing "little green men", but it sounds wonderful as a term of ridicule, so it has remained popular in the rhetoric of skeptics for at least 50 years now.

In a similar fashion, the term "swamp gas" has remained popular among UFO proponents who wish to ridicule skeptics and governmental authorities.

The laziest way to oppose any viewpoint on anything is to focus mainly on the least intelligent known examples of that viewpoint. Thus we reveal our innate prejudices and stimulate endless attack and counterattack along the well-worn verbal trails that so many have trod before us.

I am heartily sick of hearing about "little green men".

- LH