spam in a can
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Astronauts whose mission involves confinement in a small space capsule.
Register: derogatory, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The lab rat, experimental object, “Spam in a can” idea wasn't NASA's vision of the astronaut, but this unpleasant dimension of astronaut life did seep into spaces with a claim to public attention.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “spam in a can” mean?
Astronauts whose mission involves confinement in a small space capsule.
Is “spam in a can” formal or informal?
spam in a can is generally derogatory, slang.