muttnik

== English == === Etymology === Blend of mutt +‎ sputnik. === Pronunciation === === Noun === muttnik (plural muttniks) (slang, humorous) A dog that is launched into space. 1958, House of Commons debates, official report (Canadian Parliament) The advent of sputniks and muttniks has aroused apprehension as to whether we are training the best brains we have in sufficient numbers to keep up with developments in other countries. 1958, Ray Anderson and the Home Folks – Sputniks and Mutniks [sic] (Starday Records 45-342, 1958) Sputniks and muttniks, flying through the air.