# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![headshok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@headshok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/headshok)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2000, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/61 "2000-10-28T15:02:48Z")
Before the last Tyson-Holyfield fight, IIRC, Michael Buffer ended the prefight introductions with: “And now… KLAATU BARADA NIKTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” ---
**Author:** ![SkinnyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@SkinnyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkinnyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2000, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/62 "2000-10-28T22:21:28Z")
It’s clearly from _White Heat_. It’s the last thing James Cagney says: “Made it Ma! Klaatu Barada Nikto!” After which Edmond O’Brien says: “He made it to the top of the world, and it Klaatu Barada Nikto.” And as a tribute to this film, in _Apocalypse Now_, Robert Duvall says: “I love the smell of Klaatu Barada Nikto.” ---
**Author:** ![Luchetti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/48db29/32.png) [@Luchetti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luchetti)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2000, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/63 "2000-10-29T01:56:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by omni-not \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*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. \*\* The crack about the lentil soup recipe comes from an episode of “The Simpsons”, where Lisa went on a crusade in support of vegatarianism. She ended up meeting Paul and Linda McCartney up on the roof of Apu’s “Quicki Mart”, where Paul tells Lisa that the lentil soup recipe is masked into Strawberry Fields. ---
**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 29, 2000, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/64 "2000-10-29T05:15:29Z")
Whenever I’m in Springfield I like to hang out in Apu’s Garden in the shade, Klaatu Barada Nikto. ---
**Author:** ![Quas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/8797f3/32.png) [@Quas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quas)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2000, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/65 "2000-10-29T17:31:07Z")
I’m somewhat surprised you didn’t ask for info from a Canadian over 30 on the band Klaatu! Way back around the end of 1976, notice was taken of a rather well done album called “3:47E.S.T.” by Klaatu. They were a Toronto based band that were believed to be the Beatles by another name, speculation fueled by the British trade N.M.E. weekly music newspaper and others. They weren’t, but hey, who were they to waste free publicity. The first single was out in 1973, the last in 1982. They produced five albums and two different compilations, the current one being “Peaks” on Attic (ACD 1374). The biggest hit they had was “Calling Occupants” with the b-side “Sub Rosa Subway” (origionally a '73 release) in 1976, written by Klaatu. Both sides were re-recorded to greater fame by the Carpenters. They were not just a studio band, as suggested by the post from Cabbage, but in fact toured. I myself was at one concert in 1979 at my highschool in Guelph, On., Canada. Most importantly, yes, the name was taken from The Day The Earth Stood Still. So was the cover photo from Ringo Star’s “Goodnight, Vienna”, with Ringo’s head pasted onto Klaatu’s body. How’s that for a Beatles link? ---
**Author:** ![maltese\_chicken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@maltese\_chicken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maltese_chicken)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2000, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/66 "2000-10-29T18:08:55Z")
I checked my intergalactic dictionary. “Klaatu barada nikto” means “Klaatu wants to have sex with you”. You see, Gort is one SERIOUS sex machine, afterall, he was programmed to f\*\*k the entire planet, was he not? So when he found out Klaatu wanted to have a go with him, he revived Klaatu and they went off to somewhere more private to do the wild thing. Cheers, maltese chicken ---
**Author:** ![Ura-Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/51bf81/32.png) [@Ura-Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ura-Maru)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2000, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/67 "2000-10-29T19:30:50Z")
What’s wrong with you people. How could anyone forget the classic scene, a battered Rutger Hauer, facing an even more battered Harrison Ford, on a rooftop in the rain, and he gives his terrific, improvized monologe; “The thing’s I’ve heard . . . Klattu Barada Nicto . . . all will be lost, now, like tears in rain . . .” – “Maybe I’ve misunderstood what spiders are, all this time. They’re huge, hairy bipeds, with hands.” ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2000, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/68 "2000-10-29T22:50:35Z")
I can’t believe you people would spew such filthy lies. I’m really ashamed to consider myself a part of this board now. Anyone in the know could tell you it is from that great song: “My boyfriend’s back and you’re gonna Klattu Barada Nicto, hey now, hey now, my boyfriend’s back!” Sheesh! ---
**Author:** ![Zor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/848f3c/32.png) [@Zor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zor)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2000, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/69 "2000-10-29T23:00:39Z")
When a question like this gets so many silly answers, it’s a sign that the master must emerge from hiding and decree the truth. Moderators, please send this to Cecil! ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2000, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/70 "2000-10-29T23:09:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Luchetti \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by omni-not \* > > \*\* > > > > > [@](#): > > > > > > \*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. \*\* > > The crack about the lentil soup recipe comes from an episode of “The Simpsons”, where Lisa went on a crusade in support of vegatarianism. She ended up meeting Paul and Linda McCartney up on the roof of Apu’s “Quicki(sic) Mart”, where Paul tells Lisa that the lentil soup recipe is masked into Strawberry Fields. \*\* Actually, it’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” Ryan Mead, one of many rabid “Simpsons” fans ---
**Author:** ![dpr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8797f3/32.png) [@dpr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dpr)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2000, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/71 "2000-10-30T13:58:52Z")
Isn’t it what Connor McLoud said in the pre-editing phase instead of “there can be only one?” ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2000, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/72 "2000-10-30T17:31:29Z")
Nikto means nobody in Russian. But of course, the rest doesn’t fit does it… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2000, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/73 "2000-10-30T19:57:02Z")
And who could forget the Cantina scene in _Star Wars_ where Han Solo quips, “ **Fast** ship? You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It’s the ship that made the Klaatu Barada Nikto in twelve parsecs!” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Marquis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a8b319/32.png) [@The\_Marquis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Marquis)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2000, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/74 "2000-10-30T19:57:08Z")
In the 1967 classic movie “Clambake” Elvis can be heard to quip to Bill Bixby “Klaatu Barada Nikto” Clearly it was a premonition refering to the Mr. Bixby’s eventual metamorphisis into the Incredible Hulk. Anyone who speaks Klingon will back me up on this. ---
**Author:** ![ttimchen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@ttimchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ttimchen)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2000, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/75 "2000-10-30T23:02:30Z")
I am disapointed in all of you. KLAATU BARADA NIKTO is what the Man from Another Place (the midget) says to Agent Cooper right before he does his funky little dance. ---
**Author:** ![Winkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/41988e/32.png) [@Winkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winkie)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/76 "2000-10-31T01:52:49Z")
Didn’t Clint Eastwood utter those words as Dirty Harry? “Go ahead, make my Klaatu Barada Nikto.” ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/77 "2000-10-31T03:50:01Z")
Who can forget the great line from Aliens when Hudson lamented “Klaatu Barada Niktu, man…KLAATU BARADA NIKTU!” Or Bishop: “I may be synthetic, but i’m not Klaatu Barada Niktu”. Or the other famous occurence of the phrase: “Hey Vasquez, have anyone ever mistaken you for Klaatu Barada Niktu?” ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/78 "2000-10-31T04:31:31Z")
It means “Stay in the ground, deadites.” If only Ash hadn’t fumbled the line, they’d have been perfectly happy to stay there. ---
**Author:** ![Zor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/848f3c/32.png) [@Zor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zor)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/79 "2000-10-31T07:59:16Z")
Talk about driving a bad joke into the ground… aren’t you guys tired yet? ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/80 "2000-10-31T12:42:48Z")
Tired? nah, we’re klaatu Barada Nikto. as for The Strawberry Fields/Cranberry Sauce thing, The lentil soup gag aside, In _The Summer of Love, the making of Sargent Pepper_ IIRC, George Martin says that John chanted I’m very Tall, I’m very Small, Cranberry Sauce at the very end, just after Ringo’s backwards Tom-tom and Cymbals part. of course, I could be misremembering. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834.md?page=5)