# Why is it now Enterprise and not THE Enterprise? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 13, 2002, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741 "2002-08-13T20:01:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/1 "2002-08-13T20:01:47Z")
OK, this may be a real nitpick, but it bugs me to no end. On all the previous Star Treks, ships, including the big E, were refered to as The \_\_\_. Let’s get back to the Enterprise. Someone’s hailing us. It’s the Yamato. I’ll take the Defiant through the wormhole. But now on Enterprise, NO ONE uses the “the”. How long have you been on Enterprise? We can treat him back on Enterprise. etc… BLEH! It bothers me. I guess the trend started with Voyager. It don’t remember anyone saying “The Voyager” but then, I didn’t watch much Voyager. But with Voyager, it didn’t sound so odd. When it’s the exact same ship name as the previous Enterprises, it vexes me. I know a lot of different writers write for Trek, but this seems so consistent on the new show, like it was an edict handed down from Berman and Braga. Has anyone else noticed this? ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/2 "2002-08-13T20:25:41Z")
Anthropomorphising the ship. (or however it’s spelled). I think it is better that way. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2002, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/3 "2002-08-13T20:33:43Z")
That, plus, somebody finally said, “Hey, guys… It’s the fifth one (in space, anyway; more if you count boats). If we’re going to call it anything, it should be AN Enterprise.” ---
**Author:** ![Pixellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@Pixellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixellent)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/4 "2002-08-13T20:47:09Z")
Calling it “Enterprise” goes back to actual naval usage. Sailors tend to refer to their ships without the definite article attached. The trend didn’t start with Berman. It began with the Classic Trek movies. “Enterprise is twenty years old, we feel her day is over.” “It’s one of ours, Admiral; it’s Reliant.” Probably has to do with the fact that Harve Bennett was a military man in his day. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/5 "2002-08-13T20:51:35Z")
All of the above and I definately agree with Tars. Also this is the first group to use this particular ship. The whole prospect of space is particulary “enterprising” at this stage. I think taking out the definite article emphasizes the concept of enterprise rather than some vague name a committee made up. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/6 "2002-08-13T20:52:50Z")
Well **Ethilrist** , chronologically, it’s the 2nd one in space. (The Shuttle’s the 1st. Does NASA use a “the”?). Until they try to squeeze another in at least. 🙂 Considering it’s the first to leave earth orbit, I’d think THE enterprise would be pretty appropriate. Besides, they still call it “The Starship Enterprise,” right? ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/7 "2002-08-13T20:57:42Z")
Aha! THE Enterprise: [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/enterprise.html](http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/enterprise.html) And actually, I forgot: that particular Enterprise never left the atmosphere. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/8 "2002-08-13T21:05:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Well **Ethilrist** , chronologically, it’s the 2nd one in space. (The Shuttle’s the 1st. Does NASA use a “the”?). The Space Shuttle Enterprise never went into space. It was built for the approach and landing tests. So as of today, the starship _Enterprise_ is the first _Enterprise_ in space. FWIW, _Enterprise_ has been the name of many ships stretching back for about 300 years (from [A History of Ships Named _Enterprise_](http://www.cs.umanitoba.ca/~djc/startrek/SNE.html): 1705: 5th rate (UK) 1709: 6th rate (UK) 1730: Sloop (UK) 1738: Passenger ship (UK) 1743: 8-gunned sloop (UK) 1759: Frigate (France) 1774: 6th rate (UK) 1775: Sloop (USA) 1776: Privateer (USA) 1799: Schooner (USA) 1831: Schooner (USA) 1861: Balloon (USA) 1864: Sloop (UK) 1877: Sloop (USA) 1914: Motorboat 790 (USA) 1919: Light Cruiser (UK) 1930: Racing Yacht (USA) 1935: Training Airship L-5 (USA) 1936: Aircraft Carrier CV-6 (USA) 1946: Blimp (USA) 1959: Inshore Survey Ship A-71 (UK) 1961: Aircraft Carrier CVN-65 (USA) 1976: Space Shuttle OV-101 (USA) 1976: Racing Yacht (USA) 1979: Goodyear Blimp GZ-20 (USA) 1981: Patrol Craft P-02 (Barbados) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/9 "2002-08-13T21:06:42Z")
Damn, **gonzoron**! I would’ve beaten you if I didn’t have so much reformatting to do on my post! ---
**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:** [August 13, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/10 "2002-08-13T21:23:51Z")
Actually, I look at “chronologically” from the point of view of the guys writing the script, since they’re the ones getting it wrong: Jim Kirk’s Enterprise, then his second Enterprise, then Picard’s, then Garrett’s, then Archer’s. That’s five. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2002, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/11 "2002-08-13T21:34:08Z")
In ST: TMP there’s a display of vehicles called Enterprise and the last one is some sort of space wheel thing. Is that supposed to have been around before or after Archer’s Enterprise? Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/12 "2002-08-14T01:02:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > \*\*Actually, I look at “chronologically” from the point of view of the guys writing the script, since they’re the ones getting it wrong: Jim Kirk’s Enterprise, then his second Enterprise, then Picard’s, then Garrett’s, then Archer’s. That’s five. \*\* Poor poor Cpt. Harriman. Guess his respect is being delivered next Friday too. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/13 "2002-08-14T01:28:30Z")
[star trek geek] There have been seven **starships** named Enterprise (evil mirror universes aside), chronologically: **NX-01** from Enterprise **NCC-1701** from ST:TOS & ST:TMP thru ST:III **NCC-1701A** from (end of)ST:IV thru ST:VI **NCC-1701B** from ST:GEN **NCC-1701C** & **NCC1701D** from ST:TNG and **NCC-1701E** from (end of)ST:GEN thru ST:INS [/star trek geek] ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/14 "2002-08-14T02:11:51Z")
That extra spaceship enterprise from TMP is mentioned in the Star Trek Chronology as a spaceship design from a failed pilot propsal, but is included as an extra spaceship in Enterprise 1701’s lounge. No other info on it has been mentioned, but i bet if they were to make an “extra” Special Edition of TMP they’d digitally change the Enterprise into Enterprise NX-01. Either that, or the Temporal Cold War changed the name of Humanities first warp 5 ship. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/15 "2002-08-14T12:45:21Z")
Ahhh, yes, the Temporal Cold War, or “Scriptwriters’ Handy Excuse for All the Continuity Glitches”. When, I wonder, will we see the armies of the Suliban descending on Qo’noS with their orbital sanders, to smooth off all the Klingons’ foreheads? ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/16 "2002-08-14T17:30:47Z")
Well, the Suliban are interested in Genetic Modifications…(that beats my old excuse, that the Klingons messed with Q and he de-rigged them for 100 years) ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/17 "2002-08-14T17:32:20Z")
Well, the Suliban are interested in Genetic Modifications…(that beats my old excuse, that the Klingons messed with Q and he de-ridged them for 100 years) ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/18 "2002-08-14T18:22:32Z")
Stupid Q!!! ---
**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:** [August 14, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/19 "2002-08-14T18:39:02Z")
> [@](#): > > There have been seven starships named Enterprise (evil mirror universes aside), chronologically: Does the three-nacelle, superphaser one from “All Good Things” count as an “evil mirror universe”? ---
**Author:** ![AmbushBug](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ambushbug/32/4600_2.png) [@AmbushBug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbushBug)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741/20 "2002-08-14T19:48:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gonzoron \* > \*\*On all the previous Star Treks, ships, including the big E, were refered to as The \_\_\_. > > Let’s get back to the Enterprise. > Someone’s hailing us. It’s the Yamato. > I’ll take the Defiant through the wormhole. > > But now on Enterprise, NO ONE uses the “the”. > > How long have you been on Enterprise? > We can treat him back on Enterprise. > > etc… > > BLEH! > > . > . > . > > Has anyone else noticed this? \*\* “Kirk to _Enterprise_, come in, _Enterprise_…” Sorry. I don’t see it. The AmbushBug [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-now-enterprise-and-not-the-enterprise/123741.md?page=2)