# I, For One, Welcome Our New Cliché-Laden Overlords **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 30, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200 "2004-12-30T03:26:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/1 "2004-12-30T03:26:47Z")
…but I’d very much like to know the origin of the phrase that’s been riffed on a hundred times on SDMB, most recently as the title of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/2 "2004-12-30T03:28:36Z")
> [@](#): > > “The spacecraft has apparently been taken over – “conqured” if you will – by a master race of giant space ants. It’s difficult to tell from this vantage point whether they will consume the captive earth men or merely enslave them. One thing is for certain: there is no stopping them; the ants will soon be here. And I for one welcome our new insect overlords. I’d like to remind them that as a trusted TV personality I could be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves.” – Kent Brockman From “Deep Space Homer”. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/3 "2004-12-30T03:29:08Z")
It’s from the Simpsons episode where Homer goes on the space shuttle. He accidently breaks an ant farm, sending the ants floating all over the place. Kent Brockman (the TV news guy) sees the ants on a live feed from the shuttle and thinks the ants are aliens bent on world domination. He says, “I, for one, welcome our alien ant overlords.” (paraphrased) ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/4 "2004-12-30T04:23:23Z")
Damn, I was hoping to find out about some new film or Tv series or something that featured a race of cliche-laden overlords. Haven’t really had one since that John Travolta thing. And ID4. And Mars Needs Women. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/5 "2004-12-30T04:24:25Z")
Oh, wait a sec … sci fi channel is doing the new Battlestar Galactica series. Guess our new cliche laden overlords really are on their way… ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/6 "2004-12-30T04:24:47Z")
Best. Episode. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/7 "2004-12-30T04:34:05Z")
I found this [interesting](http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/%7Emyl/languagelog/archives/000399.html)[site](http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/000403.html): The memetic phylogeny of “our new \* overlords”. By plugging variations on the phrase into Google, it shows how the meme has evolved. From the second link: > [@](#): > > In addition to “I, for one, welcome our new \* overlords”, you might also consider the variations on this theme, listed below with google hits for \*, \* \*, \* \* \*, \* \* \* \*, and total. For convenience, the numbers for the root snowclone are also listed. I don’t get the same numbers as you do, even using the link you provided, so I have listed the numbers I get. > > I, for one, welcome our new \* overlords (1880, 334, 213, 36; 2463) > I, for one, welcome our new \* overlord ( 39, 13, 12, 2; 66) > I welcome our new \* overlords ( 25, 40, 0, 0; 65) > I welcome our new \* overlord ( 0, 0, 0, 0; 0) > > I, for one, welcome our new \* masters ( 152, 65, 36, 12; 265) > I welcome our new \* masters ( 11, 0, 0, 0; 11) > I, for one, welcome our new \* master ( 8, 0, 0, 0; 8) > I welcome our new \* master ( 0, 0, 0, 0; 0) > > It seems obvious that “for one … overlords” is the original, while the others are variations. The number of hits decreases as the number of changes from “for one … overlords” increases. At the same time it’s evident that it’s the meaning behind the words and not blind textual copying that is behind the pattern. This is evidenced by the much greater prevalence of “masters” over other words as the object of the sentence. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/8 "2004-12-30T04:58:25Z")
Amen. Possibly my favorite _Simpsons_ line ever: The spacecraft is attempting a risky re-entry procedure. The two experienced astronauts are quiet, and as we read their thoughts, are soberly humming “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Homer is also humming a song to himself: _Oh, those Golden Grahams, Oh those Golden Grahams, Crispy, crunchy, graham cereal, Brand new breakfast treat_ I can’t think of a more pointed, eloquent way of expressing the concern that one has filled one’s head with a lifetime of garbage. (A concern shared by many _Simpsons_ fans). > [@Hail Ants](#): > > Best. Episode. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/9 "2004-12-30T05:14:54Z")
> [@Hail Ants](#): > > Best. Episode. Ever. I’ve always assumed this is where you got your nome de Dope. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/10 "2004-12-30T05:29:46Z")
Same episode, Kent Brockman has a sign over he shoulder reading “Hail Ants”. He quickly takes it down. I’m so happy season five is out on DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/11 "2004-12-30T15:22:17Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > Oh, wait a sec … sci fi channel is doing the new Battlestar Galactica series. Guess our new cliche laden overlords really are on their way… Actually I’ve heard it’s supposed to be really good. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/12 "2004-12-30T15:28:40Z")
Thanks to all who responded. I suppose it shows that I don’t watch the Simpsons. > [@Waenara](#): > > I found this [interesting](http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/%7Emyl/languagelog/archives/000399.html)[site](http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/000403.html): The memetic phylogeny of “our new \* overlords”. > By plugging variations on the phrase into Google, it shows how the meme has evolved. > > From the second link: I think that “mutating memes,” “cascading snowclones,” and “alien ant overlords” could make the basis for a wonderful pastiche on a particular style of SF story. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/13 "2004-12-30T16:03:26Z")
I, for one, stand corrected. I always thought it came from GTA3: Vice City, from the KCHAT radio station I believe. I think it was the “Dr. Laura” type talk-show host, something about “I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords.” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/14 "2004-12-30T18:45:51Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Thanks to all who responded. I suppose it shows that I don’t watch the Simpsons. > > I think that “mutating memes,” “cascading snowclones,” and “alien ant overlords” could make the basis for a wonderful pastiche on a particular style of SF story. Cool. Three BAND NAMEs in one post. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/15 "2004-12-30T19:09:51Z")
Now that we know the origin, can we please stop using the phrase? It’s got to be one of the most irritating and overused cliches on the internet (not just on the Dope). ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/16 "2004-12-30T19:41:40Z")
> [@Nightwatch Trailer](#): > > Now that we know the origin, can we please stop using the phrase? It’s got to be one of the most irritating and overused cliches on the internet (not just on the Dope). Naw, it’s still got some life left in it. It’ll take at least another decade before it becomes as irritating and overused as any given Monty Python quote. ---
**Author:** ![bughunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@bughunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bughunter)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/17 "2004-12-30T20:09:49Z")
Aw, stupid rod! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/18 "2004-12-30T21:01:56Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Cool. Three BAND NAMEs in one post. > > 😃 What can I say – I’m **good**!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/19 "2004-12-30T22:21:12Z")
> [@Nightwatch Trailer](#): > > Now that we know the origin, can we please stop using the phrase? It’s got to be one of the most irritating and overused cliches on the internet (not just on the Dope). So, you’re suggesting that we threaten anyone who uses it with a 1920’s style death ray, perhaps? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200/20 "2004-12-30T22:33:18Z")
> [@Nightwatch Trailer](#): > > can we please stop using the phrase? It’s got to be one of the most irritating and overused cliches on…the Dope… Agreed. Hail Ants was a funny screen name when he registered but I’d be pissed if I were him due to the overuse of that quote here. It’s at the top of my cringeworthy phrases list right now and I’ve been on the verge of pitting it for the last two weeks or so. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-cliche-laden-overlords/282200.md?page=2)