# What does KLAATU BARADA NIKTO mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 5, 2000, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834 "2000-10-05T19:43:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/21 "2000-10-05T22:20:54Z")
> [@](#): > > [slight hijack] A while back, there was an aura of mystery surrounding the musical group Klaatu, IIRC. Has the veil ever been lifted? [/slight hijack] I take it you’re referring to the rumor that it was The Beatles recording under a pseudonym? Referring to a Beatles biography I have (no, not that one) I found this story. Paraphrasing, Steve Smith of the Providence Journal noted there were no credits on the album nor photographs of the band, it was released by Capitol (The Beatles former label), had references to Beatles albums, and was distinctly Beatlesque. Maybe it really was The Beatles? Another “Paul is Dead” thing all over again. I’d never heard anything by Klaatu but just out of curiosity I’m downloading one of their songs now from Napster (Sub-Rosa Subway). It’s definitely Beatlesque, but it’s definitely not The Beatles, and anyone familiar with the voices would know that. Anyway, Capitol milked the rumor for all it was worth, and some time later it was revealed that the group consisted of Canadian studio musicians. ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/22 "2000-10-05T23:11:15Z")
Thanks for the input. Did a modicum of research using the song’s title (which I had completely forgotten about) and…what do you know? [http://www.klaatu.org](http://www.klaatu.org) …if you’re slightly interested in additional info. ---
**Author:** ![Chocobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Chocobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chocobo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/23 "2000-10-05T23:22:32Z")
Just thought I’d throw this in here…Klaatu and Barada are the names of a couple of Jabba’s henchbeings in Return of the Jedi. The Nikto are a species in the SW universe. I’m surprised no one else had mentioned this… I guess I’m just weird. =) ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2000, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/24 "2000-10-05T23:57:30Z")
Thanks for the link **omni-not**. Hell, after looking into it and checking out some of their songs, I just ordered one of their CD’s from Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![echidnasarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e99b99/32.png) [@echidnasarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echidnasarf)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/25 "2000-10-06T00:05:10Z")
It was also used in the climactic scene in the Robin Williams bomb [i[TOYS\*. The villian says that when one of his own robots is about to attack him. Actually, I enjoyed this flick. (One of the few people that did, I guess) ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/26 "2000-10-06T00:32:31Z")
😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/27 "2000-10-06T01:23:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Necros \* > \*\*Or that great scene in **Casablanca** : “Play it, Sam. Play ‘Klaatu Barada Nikto.’” \*\* ``` And, how could we forget that classic scene from "Jaws", when Roy Scheider gets his first eyeful of the Shark. He stumbles backwards into the cabin and whispers to Robert Shaw, " Klaatu Barada Nikto ". To which Shaw replied, " Ipso Facto Nickel Cadmium " :D ``` Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/28 "2000-10-06T12:03:52Z")
I seem to remember a scene in “John Holmes Brings It on Home” where a sweet young thing, trying to choke ol’ John down her gullet distinctly said, “Klaatu Barada Nikto.” I think she was trying to tell the director she was suffocating but I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/29 "2000-10-06T12:18:05Z")
Actually, Its what john Lennon says bacwards at the end of Strawberry Fields forever. the full text at the end went something like, “I’m very Tall, I’m very small, Cranberry Sauce, Klaatu Barada Nikto” when played backwards, It gives a cracking recipe for lentil soup. ---
**Author:** ![Perderabo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/30 "2000-10-06T14:04:17Z")
**LMacG** said: > [@](#): > > Take for example, the German word, schaudenfreude (probably not spelled correctly). Try to make a one-for-one translation into English. If you mean _Schadenfreude_, I guess I would go with “gloating”. All those groovy compound German words and that’s the best you can do? So how about _Straßenverkehrsordnung_? I would go with “roadrule”. After all, you didn’t blink when I called “nomore” a word. I’m aware that I may need to invent a few words to make this work. I’m also aware that many pages would be needed to fully explain all of the nuances of a foreign word, especially from an alien language. My point was that very little information was transmitted. Your “don’t destroy” theory doesn’t explain why Gort revived Klaatu. It also assumes that he was going to destroy. I think he was just defending the saucer and was giving Helen an ample chance to retreat. It would be out of character for Klaatu to have told Gort: “If I’m not back in x centons (or whatever time measure he uses) kindly toast the planet”. The new information that Klaatu had recently acquired that he might want to transmit to Gort was the fact that Klaatu was was dying and would be dead by the time that Helen got to Gort. This is why I think that’s the message. The next piece of input I used in developing my WAG is the fact that the phrase in question was written by an English speaking sci-fi writer. I think it’s reasonable to assume that there will be a limit to the complexity of the alien language. But like I said this is only a WAG. Please don’t begrudge me a few unproven assumptions when I make a WAG. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/31 "2000-10-06T15:11:35Z")
Remember, though, that Klaatu came from a VERY advanced civilization, where much action is probably implied by little in the way of words. My WAG: “Please don’t destroy the planet (or Patricia Neal either…I think she may have a crush on me) just yet, also, I’m dying so would you mind warming up the Resurrection Machine, and by the way they’re holding me in the jail on M Street, come around the back way and melt your way in through the concrete wall, and can we have chicken cacciatore for dinner if there’s any of that nice Sonoma County pinot noir left? We should also use up the fresh spinach before it goes.” ---
**Author:** ![LazarusLong42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@LazarusLong42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LazarusLong42)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/32 "2000-10-06T15:20:31Z")
It’s a set of code words that are basically meaningless to any but Gort and Klaatu, guys. If the two of them were two CIA agents, the phrase would have been something like “The chickens roost in April.” (The reponse to which would have been something like “but in May, the cows come home.”) And, Ike, you can imply a lot in a few words, but not in so few syllables. I shan’t go into a dissertation on morphemes and lexemes. Trust me. LL ---
**Author:** ![Perderabo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/33 "2000-10-06T15:33:24Z")
But gosh, Laz, the first word of the phrase is “Klaatu” and we know that’s his name. But I guess his mama coulda named him “the chickens”. If that’s the case, I’ll bet he had a rough time in school. ---
**Author:** ![TinCanMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@TinCanMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TinCanMan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/34 "2000-10-06T15:54:20Z")
During the presidential debate Bush responded to a question with “Gore, klaatu barada nikto.” ---
**Author:** ![leather\_and\_lace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@leather\_and\_lace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leather_and_lace)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/35 "2000-10-06T18:12:14Z")
nict or nikto\ in latin would mean not or no i have no idea on the origin of klaatu…and as for barada…\ ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/36 "2000-10-06T18:39:03Z")
Klaatu=Klaatu (“says” or “commands” is implied by the imperative form of Barada) Barada=Kill!(Imperative mood) Nikto=“do not” Translation: “Klaatu says ‘Don’t Kill!’” A very bad attemp at applying high school learned latin-type grammatical rules to a completely made up language. Where’s the damn trot when you need it? Is it 4:15 yet? Can I go home? ---
**Author:** ![TinCanMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@TinCanMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TinCanMan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/37 "2000-10-06T18:40:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by leather and lace \* > \*\*nict or nikto\ in latin would mean not or no > i have no idea on the origin of klaatu…and as for barada…\ > \*\* I think I finally get it. Klaatu is Klaatu, Nitko is derived from the latin for no or not and Barada is obviously a derivation of “Baretta” The two came to Earth in search of reruns of “Baretta” to take back to their planet. Klaatu found out that they came too early and that “Baretta” wouldn’t air until 1975 and so as he’s dying he sends a message to Gort: “Klaatu says there is no Baretta yet.” so Gort resurrects him and they leave, planning to return in the late 1970s. An apocalyptic vision of the future. This also explains the little known movie “The Day the Earth Watched Baretta Reruns” (1979) ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2000, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/38 "2000-10-06T18:45:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwistofFate \* > \*\*Actually, Its what john Lennon says bacwards at the end of Strawberry Fields forever. > > the full text at the end went something like, “I’m very Tall, I’m very small, Cranberry Sauce, Klaatu Barada Nikto” > > when played backwards, It gives a cracking recipe for lentil soup. \*\* Twist: Where the hell did you get that? Did you intend it to be a joke? (Last paragraph seems obvious enough in that respect). I know about the ‘cranberry sauce’ bit, but the “I’m very tall, I’m very small … Klaatu Barada Nikto” seems a bit far-fetched. I’ve read a lot about the Beatles and nowhere is this mentioned. Please enlighten us as to your source. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/39 "2000-10-22T19:38:23Z")
I actually did know what it meant all along. From this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=31990](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=31990) > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Moe \* > \*\*Ok here goes: > > I come from a very distant land where various types of fruit are held in high regard. Everyone loves apples and bananas, pears and plums, etc etc. Almost all types of fruit are very much appreciated and are thought to be gifts from the gods, and perhaps they are. > But about 2 months, we noticed people started getting very sick after eating certain peach-like fruits, particularly from the nectarines. It was advised to the lord of the land, Klaa, to make all nectarines illegal, (to, in essence, barr them from the people) but for _Klaatu barada nicto_ rines, he would have to kill ada nicto rine trees. 😃 \*\* ---
**Author:** ![aseymayo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2000, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/40 "2000-10-22T21:08:37Z")
Don’t listen to them, **Moe** - they’re all lying to you, every last one. The original phrase was really “Klaatu Boraxo Nippon” and it meant “don’t use Boraxo to clean your fine porcelain.” The phrase was a password to get into the secret headquarters of Bon-Ami, Boraxo’s arch-rival. It was the only way to get past that huge doorman. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834.md?page=3)