# A Stupid Thing in Star Trek That Has Annoyed Me For Years (Add Your Own!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2008, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414 "2008-07-14T09:53:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 25
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/481 "2008-10-08T20:15:25Z")
The novelization of _Star Trek II_ was more explicit about the fate of _Reliant_’s crew. As I recall, some were killed, some were abandoned on the planet, some were intimidated into cooperation and some were “converted” with Ceti eels. I can see why this complication was left out of the movie, though - the background characters were a bunch of ragtag hippie kids in various stages of Mad Maxery (with makeup by Mad Maxfactor) and having some Starfleet guys in there, apparantly cooperating, would’ve seemed odd. Of course, why they didn’t change out of their rags once they had access to _Reliant_’s clothing supplies is unclear. Great movie, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/482 "2008-10-08T20:16:46Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Counselor: “It thinks I’m spathic.” If I have to explain it it just wasn’t funny. Nobody gets me. The rock thought that counselor Troi was spathic. It’s a mineralogical term. It means having good cleavage. I kill me. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/483 "2008-10-08T20:19:04Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Plus he saw himself as the good guy in this scenario. Nice to see you out of character.🙂 Ricardo Montalban said in an interview that he played Khan as believing himself to be in the right; that seemed to him true of the “best” evil characters. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/484 "2008-10-08T20:20:39Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > It’s a mineralogical term. It means having good cleavage. Oh my. That’s as good as my joke, “What do you get when you cross a mouse with an elephant?” Elephant Mouse Sine(theta) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/485 "2008-10-08T20:22:50Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > If I have to explain it it just wasn’t funny. Nobody gets me. The rock thought that counselor Troi was spathic. It’s a mineralogical term. It means having good cleavage. I kill me. If it makes you feel better, I got it. Well, with the help of a dictionary. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/486 "2008-10-08T20:27:43Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > If I have to explain it it just wasn’t funny. Nobody gets me. The rock thought that counselor Troi was spathic. It’s a mineralogical term. It means having good cleavage. I kill me. I once posted a joke that used “Chandresekhar Limit” as a punchline, so I hear ya, brother. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/487 "2008-10-08T20:33:13Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > If I have to explain it it just wasn’t funny. Nobody gets me. The rock thought that counselor Troi was spathic. It’s a mineralogical term. It means having good cleavage. I kill me. I got it. “Spathic” is one of my favorite words. Along with “Callipygian.” ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/488 "2008-10-08T20:37:34Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Nice to see you out of character.🙂 > Ricardo Montalban said in an interview that he played Khan as believing himself to be in the right; that seemed to him true of the “best” evil characters. Fabulous Creature would have marooned them and poisoned the food. He’d want moral credit for the murders. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/489 "2008-10-08T20:40:20Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Fabulous Creature would have marooned them and poisoned the food. He’d want moral credit for the murders. What does it mean, “Fabulous Creature”? ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/490 "2008-10-08T20:41:33Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I once posted a joke that used “Chandresekhar Limit” as a punchline, so I hear ya, brother. My favorite joke is: \*Q: Who led the pedant’s revolt? A: Which Tyler.\* So I feel your pain. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/491 "2008-10-08T20:52:18Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > If I have to explain it it just wasn’t funny. Nobody gets me. The rock thought that counselor Troi was spathic. It’s a mineralogical term. It means having good cleavage. I kill me. For once - for once! - having a joke explained doesn’t kill the joke itself. Nicely played, sir. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/492 "2008-10-08T20:56:09Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > What does it mean, “Fabulous Creature”? I blame the worst of my insanity on my former screen name. Now THAT’S a joke that’s killed by explaining it. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/493 "2008-10-08T20:58:56Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > My favorite joke is: > > \*Q: Who led the pedant’s revolt? > > A: Which Tyler.\* But it was _What_ Tyler… ---
**Author:** ![Newfie150](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/73ab20/32.png) [@Newfie150](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newfie150)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/494 "2008-10-08T23:15:09Z")
The worst thing, NO seatbelts. Lights on their laser rifles, nothing like a target that says " Here I am, shoot me in the chest." ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/495 "2008-10-09T00:10:24Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > If I have to explain it it just wasn’t funny. Nobody gets me. The rock thought that counselor Troi was spathic. It’s a mineralogical term. It means having good cleavage. I kill me. If it’s any consolation, now that I understand, I think it’s funny. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/496 "2008-10-09T01:47:55Z")
> [@KRM](#): > > If it’s any consolation, now that I understand, I think it’s funny. It is a consolation, and I thank you. My children think I’m the biggest geek alive. My daughter was convulsed with laughter after seeing the grocery list that I had written NaCl on. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/497 "2008-10-09T02:53:58Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > My favorite joke is: > > \*Q: Who led the pedant’s revolt? > > A: Which Tyler.\* > So I feel your pain. I was dubious about the movement to remove Pluto’s status as a planet. I figured it wouldn’t bode well. ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/498 "2008-10-09T04:13:29Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Yeah, I always figured that if I suddenly found myself in the Star Trek Universe, I’d pack myself an Emergency Bag that contained… Major T. J. “King” Kong: Survival kit contents check. In them you’ll find: one forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four days’ concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings. Shoot, a fella’ could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/499 "2008-10-09T11:45:29Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > But it was _What_ Tyler… A pedant would never refer to a person as “what” a pedant would say “which”. **Bryan Ekers** _Ouch_, I can’t wait to use that! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414/500 "2008-10-09T12:31:24Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > A pedant would never refer to a person as “what” a pedant would say “which”. Humor; it is a difficult concept. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-stupid-thing-in-star-trek-that-has-annoyed-me-for-years-add-your-own/456414.md?page=26)