sagan
sagan Lexical Profile
• noun
A humorous, informal unit of measurement equal to at least four billion (derived from the phrase 'billions and billions', meaning at least two billion plus two billion), or any exceptionally large quantity.
"Astronomers estimate that the observable universe contains many sagans of stars across its vast expanses."
A large, deep metal kettle or cauldron, traditionally made of copper or cast iron and used in Polish and Eastern European cooking.
"In the traditional country kitchen, a heavy copper sagan hung suspended over the open hearth."
The historical German name for Żagań, a town in western Poland located on the Bóbr River in Lubusz Voivodeship.
• Rhymes for sagan
Word Origin & Etymology
As a historical culinary vessel, the word is borrowed from Polish sagan ('large copper kettle'), ultimately derived from Turkic languages (compare Ottoman Turkish sahan, 'copper dish'). The humorous unit of measurement was coined in tribute to American astronomer Carl Sagan (1934–1996) and the popular catchphrase 'billions and billions' associated with his television series Cosmos.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.