# Cthulu? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 7, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020 "2003-04-07T07:55:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3ab097/32.png) [@Khan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/1 "2003-04-07T07:55:32Z")
I see this in several prominent places. The first time I came across it was in the form of Metallica’s “Call of the Ktulu” on the S&M CD. Then I saw references to it in the “Photoshop Phriday” section at [somethingawful.com](http://somethingawful.com). Now there’s the guy on the SDMB who goes by the name **DreadCthulu**. From what I can tell, it’s apparently a god of some sort from a novel. What more is there to be told? ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/2 "2003-04-07T08:06:20Z")
It’s from HP Lovecraft (not sure which novels he’s mentioned in) and he’s a large tentacled beastie that endeavors to eat everyone, from what I remember. Sort of like a giant, giant GIANT squid. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/3 "2003-04-07T08:11:23Z")
[“The Official Cthulhu Mythos FAQ”.](http://members.tripod.com/~danharms/mythos.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Slugworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4bbf92/32.png) [@Slugworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slugworth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/4 "2003-04-07T08:16:41Z")
I honest to god have no clue if this is considered copyright theft or not, and if it is, the mods have my sincere apologies and humble request not to be banned. It seems to me to be completely legitimate, and I have the feeling he’s been dead long enough that his work has entered public domain [http://www.ech-pi-el.com/lovecraft/works/](http://www.ech-pi-el.com/lovecraft/works/) The Call Of Cthulhu is obviously the one to hit first, and will answer most of your questions. Cthulhu is a major player in a large chunk of his stories though, and if you enjoy Call Of Cthulhu, you should definitely read some more of his stuff. If my link gets deleted though, or you simply don’t feel like reading a short story - Here’s a summary of Cthulhu. Elder being, immortal, his kind came from beyond our universe and ruled earth long before man existed. Not quite Gods, but because they come from other dimensions, they have godlike powers, and are worshipped by cults as The Elder Gods. Cthulhu and the other elder gods lie slumbering in inhospitable areas of the earth (Cthulhu’s city, Ry’leh, is sunken in the Ocean) occasionally awakening briefly but still biding their time. As with all of Lovecraft’s horrors, Cthulhu can’t really be physically described or comprehended, but the best description is, body of a man, wings like a bat, and a tentacled face. ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/5 "2003-04-07T09:33:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Slugworth \* > \*\*body of a man, wings like a bat, and a tentacled face. \*\* sounds like the kind of girl i normally manage to attract when drunk :::shudders::: ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/6 "2003-04-07T10:50:57Z")
Lovecraft died in 1937, so where copyright’s been extended to 70 years after the author’s death, his works are still protected. ---
**Author:** ![Snowcarpet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowcarpet/32/257_2.png) [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/7 "2003-04-07T13:40:20Z")
Steve Wright, not to argue, but several sources say that for once, copyright may not apply. see : [http://www.ech-pi-el.com/lovecraft/copyrights.htm](http://www.ech-pi-el.com/lovecraft/copyrights.htm) from the H.P. Lovecraft Library at [http://www.ech-pi-el.com/lovecraft/](http://www.ech-pi-el.com/lovecraft/) Also, look at : [http://www.cthuugle.com/](http://www.cthuugle.com/) -Snowcarpet (was alyssa before she changed her name.) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/8 "2003-04-07T13:49:03Z")
His works prior to 1924 are PD. Later works may or may not be under copyright, depending on whether the copyright was renewed. Since there doesn’t appear to be any evidence the copyright was renewed, that would make them PD. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/9 "2003-04-07T14:08:44Z")
Didn’t H.R. Geiger (the guy whose art inspired the alien in the move Alien) do some drawings of Lovecraft’s work? Even if not officially I always pictured Cthulhu and that pantheon in the style of Geiger. It’s been ages since I read Call of Cthulhu but if memory server Cthulhu was one bad assed being…definitely not a pleasant experience. Presumably just seeing it is sufficient to cause outright madness in most people. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/10 "2003-04-07T14:56:45Z")
I just finished reading Trainspotting, where Welsh describes Lovecraft as a good writer and “a bit of a Nazi”. I remember reading a biography of Lovecraft where he certainly seemed shy and an odd duck; and which concentrated heavily on his correspondance with Robert Bloch, etc. Given the fact he was somewhat persecuted for his weird stories (likely untrue rumours of homosexuality, etc.), can Welsh’s vague assertion be debunked? ---
**Author:** ![TGWATY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/11 "2003-04-07T17:27:19Z")
Here is an image of [Cthulhu](http://www.geocities.com/whittakill/puff/puff1.jpg) but be warned! It is not for the faint of heart! As you may have noticed, there are various spellings of Cthulhu. This is because it is supposed to be rendition of an unpronounceable name. Other spellings are Ktulu, Kwlu-lwu, and [Hoodoo](http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6009/lids/whodoo3.jpg) _“Ia! Ia! Pufnstuf Fthagn! Ph’nglui mglw’nfah Pufnstuf R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn!”_ ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/12 "2003-04-07T18:19:10Z")
Whack-A-Mole, if you are thinking of the popular modern covers on Lovecraft’s novels/short stories, they were mostly done by Michael Whelan. He also did many paintings for Death Metal and Grindcore bands. [Source.](http://www.locusmag.com/index/c78.html) I think he was imitating H.R. Giger’s style for those though. ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/13 "2003-04-07T19:07:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dr\_Paprika \* > \*\*I just finished reading Trainspotting, where Welsh describes Lovecraft as a good writer and “a bit of a Nazi”. I remember reading a biography of Lovecraft where he certainly seemed shy and an odd duck; and which concentrated heavily on his correspondance with Robert Bloch, etc. Given the fact he was somewhat persecuted for his weird stories (likely untrue rumours of homosexuality, etc.), can Welsh’s vague assertion be debunked? \*\* Nazi in what regard? He was married to a Jewess, and his chief publisher was Jewish. ---
**Author:** ![Gulo\_gulo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/14 "2003-04-07T19:11:11Z")
**Dr. Paprika** : I went to an H.P. Lovecraft film festival a few years ago in Vancouver, and there was a wonderfully done documentary on his life. He did come across as a bit racist, but I just feel that he was a product of the time he lived in. I don’t recall the name of the documentary, but perhaps someone here may know. ---
**Author:** ![FabioClone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5f8ce5/32.png) [@FabioClone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FabioClone)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/15 "2003-04-07T19:22:24Z")
Ok, I get that it’s supposed to be an unpronouncable name, but how do you pronounce it? If I’m trying to discuss the Cthulhu mythos with some friends, how do I say it? I would guess it’s “Sith-ull-who.” Is this correct? ---
**Author:** ![Khan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3ab097/32.png) [@Khan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/16 "2003-04-07T19:37:42Z")
Thanks, all. This has been quite informative. However, it seems that this might more appropriately have been placed in Cafe Society now. I always thought of it as “k[sub]uh[/sub]-TOO-loo” ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/17 "2003-04-07T19:39:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FabioClone \* > \*\*Ok, I get that it’s supposed to be an unpronouncable name, but how do you pronounce it? If I’m trying to discuss the Cthulhu mythos with some friends, how do I say it? I would guess it’s “Sith-ull-who.” Is this correct? \*\* The ‘C’ is hard. Most renderings are “Kuh-thoo-loo.” ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/18 "2003-04-07T20:35:41Z")
Back when I was a wee _mine_ (more like an _oka_), I had a couple of the volumes of HPL’s correspondence published by Arkham House (he was a prolific letter writter). In one letter, he comments that Cthulhu was a name unintended for vocalization by human apparatus, but if we were to make an attempt it would sound something like “cluh-luh.” [Insert standard Lovecraftian joke about unspeakableness here.] ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/19 "2003-04-07T20:38:34Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Daoloth \* > He was married to a Jewess …_\* [hijack] “Jewess” is considered offensive by many, including myself. Saying “He was married to a Jew” or “His wife was Jewish” would have gotten the same point across. I figure you didn’t mean it to be offensive, but please don’t use it in the future. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020/20 "2003-04-07T20:40:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Punoqllads \* > \*\*[hijack] > “Jewess” is considered offensive by many, including myself. Saying “He was married to a Jew” or “His wife was Jewish” would have gotten the same point across. > > I figure you didn’t mean it to be offensive, but please don’t use it in the future. > [/hijack] \*\* Ah, I’m sorry. I had been under the errant impression that it was a more formal form of saying “female Jew,” or something to that effect. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cthulu/167020.md?page=2)