# 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:** 3
### Author:  [@ululate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ululate)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/41 "2006-06-23T05:09:58Z")
> [@RickJay](#):
>
> 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.
And yet, they invariably reply to him in Basic, and for some reason parrot what he just said. It’s almost as if there’s an audience in need of exposition. 😉
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### Author:  [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/42 "2006-06-23T05:45:45Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#):
>
> You’re worried about his bandolier? How about the fact that his name is Chewbacca…
No, no, no. You’re obviously missing the part that we need to worry about. This film series is a diabolical plot of the tobacco companies to kill children. I saw Episode IV the weekend it opened at age 4. I still remember that night to this day. It was at the (now defunct) National Ave Drive-In, in the back seat of my parent’s Oldsmobile. The feature was _Prom Night_. (They left after the girl fell from the second story window at the beginning. Funny how you remember everything about the first time you saw SW,huh?)
Anyway, Chewie was one of the most beloved characters, and just about every kid loved him. But his name is Chewbacca. As in Chew Tabacca. A nefarious subliminal suggestion.
And that’s why I smoke today. Damn you George Lucas! 😃
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### Author:  [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/43 "2006-06-23T05:49:36Z")
> [@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.
>
> > [@Der Trihs](#):
> >
> > Ewoks make great snacks. Plus, Ewok skeet shooting…
No silly,
hot Ewok sex!
Therefor,
> [@Cervaise](#):
>
> …Chewie is carrying around a metric shitload of condoms.
CMC fnord!
Unnecessary link to Supernova’s “[Chewbacca](http://www.myspace.com/supernova_army)”
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### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/44 "2006-06-23T05:58:38Z")
> [@ululate](#):
>
> And yet, they invariably reply to him in Basic, and for some reason parrot what he just said. It’s almost as if there’s an audience in need of exposition. 😉
Er, you misspelled “English.” 🙂
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### Author:  [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/45 "2006-06-23T05:59:14Z")
> [@Antigen](#):
>
> > [@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?
_Ewoks screaming as they fly
Doo-dah, doo-dah
Chewie get one with every shot
Oh doo-dah day!"_
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### Author:  [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/46 "2006-06-23T06:01:03Z")
> [@Achren](#):
>
> _Ewoks screaming as they fly
> Doo-dah, doo-dah
> Chewie **get** one with every shot
> Oh doo-dah day!"_
_hits_ one, _hits_ one :smack:
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### Author:  [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/47 "2006-06-23T06:08:30Z")
Chewbacca and an Ewok are out in the woods. Chewbacca is taking a dump. He asks the Ewok. “Do you have a problem with shit sticking to your fur?”
The Ewok says. “no.”
So Chewbacca wipes his ass with the Ewok.
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### Author:  [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/48 "2006-06-23T06:51:04Z")
> [@psychonaut](#):
>
> Never heard a badger, though. What do badgers sound like?
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Grand old Badger state!
We, thy loyal sons and daughters
Hail thee good and great.
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Champion of the right.
“Forward,” our motto - God
Will give thee might!
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### Author:  [@laramary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laramary)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/49 "2006-06-23T11:52:28Z")
I always thought it was a nickname in basic that his non-wookie friends and accociates could pronounce.
He probably has a different nickname on Endor - possibly ewok for “8 foot tall love machine”
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### Author:  [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/50 "2006-06-23T12:06:28Z")
> [@jackelope](#):
>
> 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.
You fail to convince me.
😉
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/51 "2006-06-23T12:18:14Z")
> [@psychonaut](#):
>
> [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]
> [/list]
Wookie tefillim (phylacteries)… only for Orthodox Wookies, tho.
;j
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/52 "2006-06-23T13:08:41Z")
> [@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.
The _reason_ is that Chewbacca is the Wookie equivalent of Garry Glitter.
We _won’t_ explore this _particular_ aspect of the issue any more, now _will_ we…hmmm?
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### Author:  [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/53 "2006-06-23T13:45:43Z")
> [@laramary](#):
>
> He probably has a different nickname on Endor - possibly ewok for “8 foot tall love machine”
Thanks. Being (however indirectly) the cause of my little accident just now, could _you_ recommend a way to clean Gatorade off of a monitor and keyboard?
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### Author:  [@Boggette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boggette)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/54 "2006-06-23T14:16:43Z")
Is it possible it’s a type of “badge of office”? (not badger 😛 ) Like the Klingon’s sash? (although “sash” probably isn’t the right term!)
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### Author:  [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/55 "2006-06-23T14:43:03Z")
> [@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.
>
> 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.
Then why wouldn’t Han Solo say his name in Wookiee if he could speak it? Not to keep harping, but this has bothered me since childhood. Almost as much as what the bathroom at Mos Eisley would look like. There would have to be thousands of different toilets!
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### Author:  [@Survey1215](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Survey1215)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/56 "2006-06-23T14:49:25Z")
1. I don’t know.
2. I don’t know.
It was always my understanding that Chewie never established permanent residence on Endor, but had spent time there directing adult films, Ewoks being the perfect performers for Wookie midget porn.
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### Author:  [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/57 "2006-06-23T14:49:56Z")
When I said “speak Wookiee” I meant that he could understand it. It is also detailed in the Expanded Universe that Wookiee-speak is very difficult for humans to replicate, and since Wookiees can generally understand Basic (the species is very smart, appearances notwithstanding) it’s much easier to communicate the way Han and Chewie do.
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### Author:  [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/58 "2006-06-23T15:06:37Z")
> [@Cervaise](#):
>
> Barring any evidence to the contrary, I prefer to believe that Chewie is carrying around a metric shitload of condoms.
Naw, he just uses the Ewoks for condoms. “Ewoks : Furred for her pleasure.”
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### Author:  [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/59 "2006-06-23T15:35:25Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#):
>
> …but this has bothered me since childhood. Almost as much as what the bathroom at Mos Eisley would look like. There would have to be thousands of different toilets!
Mad magazine had a riff on this way back when the movie first came out. It showed Luke walking into the restroom at the Mos Eisley cantina and the bizarre array of porcelain fixtures therein. Pretty funny.
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### Author:  [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)
#### Post date: [June 23, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-about-chewbacca/361792/60 "2006-06-23T15:42:10Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#):
>
> Then why wouldn’t Han Solo say his name in Wookiee if he could speak it? Not to keep harping, but this has bothered me since childhood. Almost as much as what the bathroom at Mos Eisley would look like. There would have to be thousands of different toilets!
Luke eventually learns to understand R2’s beeps as easily as Han seems to understand Chewbacca. So why doesn’t he respond in R2’s droid language? 😉
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