Parallel universe
Meaning
A theoretical or fictional self-contained reality that co-exists alongside our own, often with different events or outcomes.
Origin
The notion of worlds beyond our own has captivated thinkers for millennia, from ancient philosophical musings on infinite possibilities to early scientific theories. However, the precise term "parallel universe" found its modern footing in the mid-20th century, particularly driven by quantum physics. In 1957, physicist Hugh Everett III proposed the "many-worlds interpretation" of quantum mechanics, suggesting that every quantum measurement causes the universe to "split" or branch into multiple, non-interacting realities, each representing a different potential outcome. This revolutionary idea, though initially controversial, dramatically reshaped scientific and popular imagination, solidifying the phrase as a powerful descriptor for these alternate, co-existing realities.
Examples
- She joked that her messy desk must belong to a parallel universe where organization was a foreign concept.
- Many science fiction stories explore the idea of traveling between parallel universes to encounter alternate versions of oneself.