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How the "Big Bang" got its name
This story comes up repeatedly (including in the latest StarTalk episode).
Basically physicist Fred Hoyle, who did not believe in an expanding universe, inadvertently coined the "Big Bang". He used the term mockingly on a TV show, and it stuck.
Apparently though, it took a while for the term to really catch on. Found this article, that documents the story.
Really interesting story. Keen to read the actual paper (unfortunately paywalled).
Created: Jun 3, 2026