saucers

A saucer is a shallow, circular dish designed to hold a cup and catch drips or spills. In table settings, it sits under a teacup or coffee cup as part of a place setting, and it can also hold a used spoon or a small amount of sugar.

Most saucers are made of porcelain, ceramic, glass, or metal, with diameters commonly ranging from 10 to 14 centimeters. They are often decorated or glazed to match the accompanying cups and the overall dinnerware set.

Originating in Europe with the growth of tea and coffee culture, saucers became standard parts of early dinnerware and tea services. Over time, designs varied from plain to highly ornate, reflecting stylistic trends in pottery and porcelain production. In modern manufacturing, many sets feature matching cup and saucer pairs designed for compatibility and stackability.

Separately, the term flying saucer refers to a disc-shaped unidentified flying object. The phrase gained prominence after reports and media coverage in 1947. In ufology and science fiction, saucer-shaped crafts are a recurring motif, often depicted as capable of rapid movement and hovering. While the cultural usage remains widespread, claims of extraterrestrial origins have not been substantiated by verifiable evidence.

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