# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/81 "2000-10-31T14:25:19Z")
We’ve all also forgotten the famous final line of the classic, ‘King Kong’… “No, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Klaatu Barada Nikto killed the beast!” ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/82 "2000-10-31T14:30:32Z")
I love how there’s like 4300 views of this thread. I think everyone (like me) keeps coming back to read the new addition to the joke. 🙂 Anyway… remember Field of Dreams? “If you build it… Klaatu Barada Nikto” ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/83 "2000-10-31T15:21:31Z")
It was the best of times, it was the klaatu barada nikto. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/84 "2000-10-31T15:32:30Z")
Spock always said, “Klaatu barada nikto,” whenever he found something strange or unusual. And Dr. McCoy is famous for his line, “He’s klaatu barada nikto, Jim.” This line was dropped for a time, but was resurrected in _Star Trek: First Contact_; Zephram Cochrane heard the Vulcans say, “Klaatu barada nikto,” when he greeted them at the end of the film. It would have been heard in a 7th-season episode of _Next Generation_ called “Data Breaks Down Yet Again,” wherein the android suffers a total systems breakdown and repeats, “Klaatu barada nikto,” over and over and has to be rebooted with a technobabble generator Geordi whips up with parts from a phaser, a tricorder, scotch tape, Elmer’s glue and the dilithium-powered vibrator Counselor Troi kept after breaking up with Riker. This episode has never been seen by the public because it was, well, stupid. What the general public does not know is that _Voyager_ could return home at any time if Captain Janeway were to say, “Klaatu barada nikto,” to the ship’s computer, commanding it to open up an artificial wormhole with the warp drive. The reason Janeway has not done this is because Star Fleet never told her about it. The reason they never told Janeway is because they **wanted** _Voyager_ to get lost. Why? Have you ever SEEN _Voyager_? Best part of the show is the opening credits. ---
**Author:** ![DennisKy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58f4c7/32.png) [@DennisKy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DennisKy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/85 "2000-10-31T16:08:59Z")
NO NO NO NO **NO!** Haven’t _any_ of you seen _Network_? Howard Beale says he wants everyone to go to the window and stick their heads out and yell at the top of their lungs, " **I’m klaatu ba_ra_da, and I’m not going to _nikto_ anymore!!!"** Obviously, it was a code phrase. Klaatu barada (meaning, locate, recover, and revive the person referred to ASAP using his internal beacon to locate) nikto (detain but protect the person bearing this message). ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/86 "2000-10-31T16:21:42Z")
Has anybody ever thought that maybe it is some highly advanced form of CTRL - ALT - DEL? Maybe the phrase just reset everything back to before they landed on Earth. ---
**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, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/87 "2000-10-31T16:26:19Z")
I’m almost sure that Howard McMillan stepped off the plane after his return from Germany, up to the microphone, and in from of the Worlds Media said “I have in my hand, a piece of paper that guarantees Klaatu Barada Nikkto” ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/88 "2000-11-03T23:40:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The\_Marquis \* > \*\*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. > > \*\* You’re close, but actually Bill Bixby said this (in tribute to Charlton Heston in “Planet of the Apes”! :D) in a famous scene from “The Incredible Hulk” TV show: “Mr. McGee, Don’t make me angry. Klaatu Barada Nikto.” ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2000, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/89 "2000-11-04T20:02:40Z")
I’ve even found it in the comics such as Wolverine’s catch phrase. “I’m the best at Klaatu Barada Nikto, bub.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2000, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/90 "2000-11-05T00:25:33Z")
Ya know, I hate to say this, but I think the time has finally come. This thread really should have been moved to MPSIMS a long time ago, but we decided to have mercy on it, being (originally) an GQ, and getting Threadspotted, and all. Enough is enough, though. Have fun! * * * There are only two things that are infinite: the Universe, and klaatu berrada nicto-- And I’m not sure about the Universe. –A. Einstein ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2000, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/91 "2000-11-05T02:51:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > \*\*Well at least I can slide in here and be the first to mention that the quote is also seen in the background on a cubicle wall in the movie **TRON**. > \*\* I was watching Darkwing Duck last night, and the three aliens in were named Klaatu, Barada, and Nikto. I laughed my butt off. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2000, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/92 "2000-11-06T01:24:46Z")
Would you guys all get a life? :rolleyes: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2000, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/93 "2000-11-06T15:44:08Z")
The SDMB **is** my life. What a party pooper… ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2000, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/94 "2000-11-07T21:24:35Z")
My hat is off to Chronos. I suggest we institute the “Chrony” award for the “most gratuitous use of the words ‘Klaatu Barada Nicto’ in a serious sig line”. Naturally, he would be the first winner, for his sig upon moving this thread to MPSIMS, the immortal: > [@](#): > > There are only two things that are infinite: the Universe, and klaatu berrada nicto-- And I’m not sure about the Universe. > –A. Einstein _sniff_ I promised myself I wouldn’t do this, but that…was just so…moving! Who else caught it? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bafaa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@bafaa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bafaa)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2000, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/95 "2000-11-08T14:27:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Winkie \* > \*\*Didn’t Clint Eastwood utter those words as Dirty Harry? > “Go ahead, make my Klaatu Barada Nikto.” \*\* I thought he used it in The outlaw Josey Wales. “You gonna pull those pistols or Klaatu Barada Nikto?” Then again maybe Klaatu Barada Nikto means “To beat a dead horse”. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/96 "2001-09-26T14:22:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cabbage \* > \*\*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. \*\* The double LP (Hope/Klaatu) is GREAT! I have Magentalane on my Wish list - don’t know where to find the others. (Obviously a big fan - thanks Chris, wherever you are…) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/97 "2001-09-26T14:51:20Z")
There was an episode of The Rockford Files where Rockford runs into this _huge_ thug, looks up at him, and says, “Klaatu barada nikto?” Another Star Wars reference: In the Jawa vehicle, when R2D2 is looking around, there’s a trashcan-with-legs droid walking around saying “Gort… gort… gort…” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/98 "2001-09-26T23:45:50Z")
"_Pastrami On Rye!_ **HOLD THE MAYO!** ---
**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:** [September 27, 2001, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/99 "2001-09-27T18:04:10Z")
You should **always** hold the mayo on a pastrami… What a culinary faux pas! Now, _mustard_ on the other hand… ---
**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:** [September 27, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834/100 "2001-09-27T18:12:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Politzania \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Cabbage \* > > \*\*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. \*\* > > The double LP (Hope/Klaatu) is GREAT! > > I have Magentalane on my Wish list - don’t know where to find the others. > > (Obviously a big fan - thanks Chris, wherever you are…) \*\* **Poly** : You could always write to the webmaster dude responsible for Klaatu’s site. Perhaps he’ll be able to give you additional info on where you could buy those albums you’re looking for. His address is, simply and logically enough: [klaatu@klaatu.org](mailto:klaatu@klaatu.org) Good luck! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-klaatu-barada-nikto-mean/35834.md?page=6)