# Some questions about Chewbacca
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [June 22, 2006, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792 "2006-06-22T23:48:07Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/21 "2006-06-23T01:52:20Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#):
>
> When playing alien chess, the Chewbacca defense consists on pulling people’s arms out of their sockets when they lose; it is indeed a flawed defense, but it will do…
Oh yes, “Let the Wookie win.” I recall that ploy now. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/22 "2006-06-23T02:24:57Z")
> [@psychonaut](#):
>
> [ol]
> [li]What’s the purpose of the strap he wears across his shoulder? There seem to be little boxes on it. Are they for holding ammunition, or are they just decorative?[/li][/ol]
I’ve read a fair number of Star Wars novels, and as far as I know this question has never been addressed. The bowcaster appears to be an energy weapon, not a projectile weapon, so it wouldn’t have ammunition. I’ll guess that the bandolier either holds power cells, or it just holds whatever stuff Chewie carries around on a daily basis – credit chips, ID card, the keys to the Millenium Falcon – the type of stuff that you or I would put in our pockets.
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### Author:  [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/23 "2006-06-23T02:25:23Z")
> [@mobo85](#):
>
> Chewie lives on the planet of Kasshyk, as seen in _Revenge of the Sith_ and _The Star Wars Holiday Special._
Nitpick: I believe it’s spelled [Kashyyyk](http://www.starwars.com/databank/location/kashyyyk/index.html).
Strangely enough, I know that because I’m a word-nerd, not a _Star Wars_ nerd.
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### Author:  [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/24 "2006-06-23T02:28:32Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#):
>
> The question is why would a Wookie – an eight foot tall Wookie – live on Endor with a bunch of Ewoks? It does not make sense.
Ewoks make great snacks. Plus, Ewok skeet shooting.
\< FLING ! \>
Ewok : “Aiiiiiiiiieeee ! ! !”
Bowcaster : \< Bwow ! \>
Chewbacca : “Rrrroowwwwww !” \< Pumps arm in victory \>
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### Author:  [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/25 "2006-06-23T02:32:13Z")
You’re worried about his bandolier? How about the fact that his name is Chewbacca…which would be impossible for him to vocalize. How the hell would anyone know what his name was beyond “Arrrararagagh?”
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### Author:  [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/26 "2006-06-23T02:33:15Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#):
>
> You’re worried about his bandolier? How about the fact that his name is Chewbacca…which would be impossible for him to vocalize. How the hell would anyone know what his name was beyond “Arrrararagagh?”
I’m guessing… maybe someone else named him?
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### Author:  [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/27 "2006-06-23T02:35:35Z")
> [@DooWahDiddy](#):
>
> I’m guessing… maybe someone else named him?
What, like he’s a pet? That bothers me even more. Chewbacca ain’t nobody’s lapdog. 😃
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/28 "2006-06-23T02:38:02Z")
In one of the docs included on the recently released DVDs, Mark Hamill had a funny story about how, in the development stages of the character, some of the studio execs were upset that Chewie was naked, and kept suggesting that they get him some lederhosen or something.
Mark: “This is great. Of all the things to worry about, the Wookie has no pants.”
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### Author:  [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/29 "2006-06-23T02:42:27Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#):
>
> You’re worried about his bandolier? How about the fact that his name is Chewbacca…which would be impossible for him to vocalize. How the hell would anyone know what his name was beyond “Arrrararagagh?”
In the Expanded Universe books you learn that Han Solo learned how to speak Wookiee from a Wookiee named Dewlanna while he was held captive by a Fagin-type character named Garris Shrike. You also learn that some Wookiees have a “speech impediment” that allows them to speak Basic, Ralrra being noteworthy in that regard.
Really, though the question you asked is like asking how Spanish speakers learned how to speak English, or how we can understand Chinese. It’s simply a language barrier that they overcame. Or, if you suspend your disbelief, it really doesn’t matter because it’s probably one of the most plausible things about the whole series.
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/30 "2006-06-23T02:52:08Z")
Does anything bring out the nitpicks like Star Wars?
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### Author:  [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/31 "2006-06-23T02:55:30Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> In one of the docs included on the recently released DVDs, Mark Hamill had a funny story about how, in the development stages of the character, some of the studio execs were upset that Chewie was naked, and kept suggesting that they get him some lederhosen or something.
>
> Mark: “This is great. Of all the things to worry about, the Wookie has no pants.”
I couldn’t help but be reminded of [this webcomic.](http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/659.html)
He he he, Chewie in lederhosen.
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### Author:  [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/32 "2006-06-23T02:58:45Z")
> [@adam yax](#):
>
> Does anything bring out the nitpicks like Star Wars?
Yes. Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, anything by Joss Whedon, and Macs.
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### Author:  [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/33 "2006-06-23T03:02:03Z")
> [@Der Trihs](#):
>
> Ewoks make great snacks. Plus, Ewok skeet shooting.
>
> \< FLING ! \>
> Ewok : “Aiiiiiiiiieeee ! ! !”
> Bowcaster : \< Bwow ! \>
> Chewbacca : “Rrrroowwwwww !” \< Pumps arm in victory \>
How wrong is it that I can actually _hear_ the screaming Ewok as I read this?
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### Author:  [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/34 "2006-06-23T03:33:16Z")
> [@Diceman](#):
>
> whatever stuff Chewie carries around on a daily basis – credit chips, ID card, the keys to the Millenium Falcon
Barring any evidence to the contrary, I prefer to believe that Chewie is carrying around a metric shitload of condoms.
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### Author:  [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/35 "2006-06-23T03:40:49Z")
> [@asterion](#):
>
> Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, _this_ is O.J. Simpson. Simpson is a former football player who’s still looking for the real killer. That…Does…Not…Make…Sense!
Yee haw! I guessed this reference, or something like it, would be made in post 4 of this thread, and I was right!
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### Author:  [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/36 "2006-06-23T03:54:27Z")
What’s the reference? Someone clue in us non-Jedi?
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### Author:  [@ululate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ululate)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/37 "2006-06-23T03:57:38Z")
> [@jackelope](#):
>
> What’s the reference? Someone clue in us non-Jedi?
It’s a “South Park” gag, in which Johnnie Cochrane is routinely able to befuddle juries by pointing out alleged implausibilities about Chewbacca so as to then comment on how it doesn’t make sense that he’s even talking about Chewbacca as part of this trial which means that this whole trial doesn’t make sense.
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### Author:  [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/38 "2006-06-23T03:58:29Z")
[The Chewbacca Defense](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewbacca_defense)
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/39 "2006-06-23T04:14:28Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#):
>
> In the Expanded Universe books you learn that Han Solo learned how to speak Wookiee from a Wookiee named Dewlanna while he was held captive by a Fagin-type character named Garris Shrike. You also learn that some Wookiees have a “speech impediment” that allows them to speak Basic, Ralrra being noteworthy in that regard.
I thought it wasn’t that Ralrra could speak Basic, more that his Wookiee was more understandable to humans?
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### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/40 "2006-06-23T05:01:55Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> I thought it wasn’t that Ralrra could speak Basic, more that his Wookiee was more understandable to humans?
Luke learns to understand Wookiee pretty quickly, and a number of other characters demonstrate understanding. It apparently is not hard to learn to at least get the gist of it.
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