List of terms (TOS): Difference between revisions
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: ''For terms used in separate continuity and unproduced script sources, see: [[List of terms (TOS alternate)]].'' | |||
{{terms series}} | |||
The Colonials and [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]] employ terminology that is different or unknown to us. These include military jargon, colloquialisms, sayings, and technical terms. This article serves to organize and summarize them, leading to different articles if the term needs to be further expanded upon. | |||
== Acronyms == | == Acronyms == | ||
* [[CORA]]: Computer, Oral Response Activated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] ([[The Long Patrol]]) | * '''[[CORA]]''': Computer, Oral Response Activated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] ([[The Long Patrol]]) | ||
== Military jargon == | == Military jargon == | ||
* "flash inspection": an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | * "{{inlineref|flash inspection}}": an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | ||
* "four-point peel off": a maneuver performed with a group of four Vipers ([[War of the Gods, Part I]]) | * "{{inlineref|four-point peel off}}": a maneuver performed with a group of four Vipers ([[War of the Gods, Part I]]) | ||
* "free flight jump": an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle ([[The Living Legend, Part II]]) | * "{{inlineref|free flight jump}}": an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle ([[The Living Legend, Part II]]) | ||
* "maximum G-climb": a maneuver done near a celestial body, which may cause the pilot to blackout; Starbuck orders [[CORA|C.O.R.A.]] to perform this | * "{{inlineref|life station relief}}": sick call ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]) | ||
* "stand alert": Colonial term for "attention" ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | * "{{inlineref|maximum G-climb}}": a maneuver done near a celestial body, which may cause the pilot to blackout; Starbuck orders [[CORA|C.O.R.A.]] to perform this maneuver, which causes the pursuing [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]] to crash into the loading docks on [[Proteus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]]) | ||
* "stripped and moduled": a consequence of severe | * "{{inlineref|stand alert}}": Colonial term for "attention" ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | ||
* [[Warrior]]: an all purpose term for Colonial soldier and Viper pilot | * "{{inlineref|stripped and moduled}}": a consequence of severe infractions in military law, likely similar to being stripped of one's rank and thrown in hack; [[Greenbean]] expresses a fear of this happening as [[Giles]] asks where he got the alcohol from ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | ||
* '''[[Warrior]]''': an all purpose term for Colonial soldier and Viper pilot | |||
== Sayings == | == Sayings == | ||
* "[[ | * '''"[[By your command]]"''': a typical [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]] response to an order ([[Saga of a Star World]], et al.) | ||
* '''"[[By your leave]]"''': a [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Colonial]] response to an order ([[Saga of a Star World]], et al.) | |||
* '''"clear as the [[Nubian sun]]"''': a saying, similar to "as clear as day"; [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] uses this saying when referencing to the non-existent [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]]s he allegedly pursued when he made his attack on the [[Cylon fuel tanker]]s ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]). | |||
* " | * '''"[[daggit]] drivel"''': a term used to describe someone's lies, similar to "garbage" or "bullshit"; [[Lucifer]] uses this term when asking if [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] believes [[Specter]]'s false reports ([[The Young Lords]]). | ||
* " | * '''"For the glory of [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Caprica|Caprica]]"''': saying used by the Colonials, particularly those from Caprica ([[Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]). | ||
* " | * '''"Go rust yourself"''': Colonial equivalent to "go fuck yourself", typically used towards Cylons; Cadet [[Cree]] says this to [[Vulpa]] while the Cylons interrogate him ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]]). | ||
* "like a [[daggit]] on a sunspot": fidgety; [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] points out that [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] acts this way during his pre-flight meeting on destroying the [[Cylon Mine|mines]] in the [[Straits of Madagon]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]). | * '''"[[w:laser|laser]] in their side"''': analogue to "thorn in their side", [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] uses this term to describe how the actions of [[Megan]]'s surviving children have kept their father alive at Cylon hands ([[The Young Lords]]). | ||
* '''"like a [[daggit]] on a sunspot"''': fidgety; [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] points out that [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] acts this way during his pre-flight meeting on destroying the [[Cylon Mine|mines]] in the [[Straits of Madagon]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]). | |||
== Other colloquialisms == | == Other colloquialisms == | ||
* astrum: buttocks ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]) | * {{inlineref|astrum}}: buttocks ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]) | ||
* [[Barge Lice]]: a "term of endearment" for prisoners on the ''[[Prison Barge]]'' | * '''[[Barge Lice]]''': a "term of endearment" for prisoners on the ''[[Prison Barge]]'' | ||
* [[felgercarb]]: expletive, similar to "crap" | * '''[[Felgercarb (TOS)|felgercarb]]''': expletive, similar to "crap" | ||
* [[frack]]: expletive, similar to "shit" | * '''[[frack]]''': expletive, similar to "shit" | ||
* [[galmonging]]: an expletive, possibly | * '''[[galmonging]]''': an expletive, possibly similar to "asshole" or "God damned" | ||
* mong-raking: an expletive; after thwarting their attack on ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'', [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] comments that "those mong-raking [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]] are in a state of shock right now" due to the apperances of ''[[Pegasus (TOS)|Pegasus]]'' ([[The Living Legend, Part II]]) | * '''Hades hole''': hell hole, used to describe the [[Red planet]] ([[War of the Gods, Part I]]) | ||
* plant vapors: a [[w:psychoactive drug|psychoactive drug]] familiar to the Colonials; [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] comments that | * {{inlineref|mong-raking}}: an expletive; after thwarting their attack on ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'', [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] comments that "those mong-raking [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]] are in a state of shock right now" due to the apperances of ''[[Pegasus (TOS)|Pegasus]]'' ([[The Living Legend, Part II]]) | ||
* [[pogees]]: expletive, similar to "shit" ([[The Living Legend, Part II]]) | * {{inlineref|plant vapors}}: a [[w:psychoactive drug|psychoactive drug]] familiar to the Colonials; [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] comments that the [[Blonde Taurus]] woman on [[Carillon]] was probably "smoking plant vapors" ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | ||
* [[socialator]]: a sex worker, escort, prostitute ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | * '''[[pogees]]''': expletive, similar to "shit" ([[The Living Legend, Part II]]) | ||
* '''[[socialator]]''': a sex worker, escort, prostitute ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | |||
== ''Battlestar Galactica'' specific terms == | == ''Battlestar Galactica'' specific terms == | ||
* [[ambrosa]]: an expensive alcoholic intoxicant | * {{inlineref|agro}}: products related to [[Wikipedia:agriculture|agriculture]] ([[The Magnificent Warriors]]) | ||
* | * '''[[ambrosa]]''': an expensive alcoholic intoxicant | ||
* | * {{inlineref|auto-control}}: auto-pilot; [[Brie]] is instructed by [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] to activate this after having problems on her first launch from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'' ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]") | ||
* '''[[bio-pulse line]]''': an unspecified body function, possibly an emotional state; [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] attempts to use this as an excuse to not join [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]]'s mission to clear the [[Cylon Mine|Cylon minefield]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|boraton}}: a liquid that extinguishes fires ([[Fire in Space]]) | |||
* | * '''[[breather]]''': term for a breathing mask, or a life support system supplying air ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | ||
* | * '''[[bureautician]]''': bureaucrat, politician ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | ||
* '''[[carbide]]''': a likely term for [[w:carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]] or [[w:carbon monoxide|carbon monoxide]] ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | |||
* [[ | * {{inlineref|centura}}: possibly an expression related to percentages. "If we just let him lie in that life pod he doesn't have a chance in a centura" ([[Fire in Space]]). | ||
* '''[[Chief Opposer]]''': a prosecuting attorney in a trial ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]). | |||
* {{inlineref|chronometers|chronometer}}: a time keeping device, essentially a watch ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | |||
* | * {{inlineref|computape}}: a video recording; [[Sire]] [[Solon]] watched computapes of the [[triad (TOS)|triad]] match between [[Ortega]] and [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]) | ||
* [[ | * {{inlineref|crawlon}}: a spider ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | ||
* | * '''[[comline]]''': a communication channel between ships | ||
* '''[[cubit]]''': a form of coined currency | |||
* [ | * '''[[daggit]]''': a dog | ||
* [[ | * {{inlineref|death stone}}: [[w:tombstone|tombstone]] ([[The Long Patrol]]) | ||
* | * {{inlineref|drone}}: a term for a robot, such as [[Muffit II]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | ||
* {{inlineref|ducket}}: a type of prepaid voucher used on the shuttle ''[[Canaris]]'', typically collected at the end of the shuttle trip ([[The Man with Nine Lives]]) | |||
* [[ | * {{inlineref|flight slumber}}: unintentionally sleeping while flying a craft, like a [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]]; [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] attempts to write off [[John]] and his second visit to the [[Ship of Lights]] as being a dream from a flight slumber ([[Experiment in Terra]]) | ||
* | * '''[[fumarello]]''': a small cigar that [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] typically smokes | ||
* '''[[furlon]]''': a [[w:furlough|furlough]], or short leave of absence for [[Warriors]] in the Colonial Military service ([[The Man with Nine Lives]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|geogram}}: a diagram; [[Ravashol]] shows [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] a geogram of the [[Ravashol pulsar|pulsar]] with instructions on how to destroy it ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]) | |||
* | * '''[[glaiders]]''': coined currency on [[Equellus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]]) | ||
* '''[[grog]]''': an intoxicating beverage, likely similar to beer | |||
* | * '''[[Homemade Buzzer]]''': a version of "[[w:moonshine|moonshine]]" on [[Equellus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]]) | ||
* {{inlineref|hovermobile}}: apparently a form of ground transportation, that can be hot-wired ([[Fire in Space]]) | |||
* [[ | * '''[[ion field]]''': a stellar phenomenon, which can cause scanner echoes ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]) | ||
* {{inlineref|ion vapors}}: likely term referring to the trail of a turbo engine ([[The Long Patrol]]) | |||
* '''[[isoldin]]''': a type of intravenous fluid given to patients ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | |||
* | * {{inlineref|leisuron}}: a vacation or leave of absence, similar to a [[furlon]] ([[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Saga of a Star World|deleted scene]], "[[Saga of a Star World]]") | ||
* {{inlineref|lextrium|lextrium III}}: a type of fuel used by the [[Eastern Alliance destroyer]] ([[Experiment in Terra]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|life pod}}: a life support bed used in the life center aboard ''Galactica'' ([[Fire in Space]]) | |||
* '''[[lupus]]''': a wolf-like animal | |||
* | * {{inlineref|mega star}}: a [[w:star|star]]; in a [[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II|deleted scene]], Omega reports of the "mega star" they detect as they leave the [[magnetic void]] ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]) | ||
* [[ | * {{inlineref|mega sun}}: a [[w:star|star]]; the Nomen come from the "land of the mega sun" ([[The Man with Nine Lives]]) | ||
* | * {{inlineref|med tech}}: a medical technician, such as a nurse or orderly | ||
* {{inlineref|modocker}}: an unknown term, likely of endearment; [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] asks [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] how Adama is by asking, "Well, how is he? How is that old modocker?" ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]) | |||
* '''[[mushies]]''': a food | |||
* '''[[nightflyer]]''': an [[w:owl|owl]]-like creature on [[Equellus]] that hoots ([[The Lost Warrior]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|officiator}}: someone who oversees a [[triad (TOS)|triad]] game ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]) | |||
* | * {{inlineref|Orion hasher}}: something that is black and blue; [[Cassiopeia]] comments that [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] looks like one after his matches with [[Ortega]] ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]) | ||
* | * '''[[oviner]]''': a rancher ([[The Lost Warrior]]) | ||
* [[ | * {{inlineref|plant vapors}}: some sort of drug, likely a reference to [[w:marijuana|marijuana]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | ||
* '''[[pluton poisoning|pluton]]''': a radioactive material whose radiation breaks down food ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | |||
* '''[[pods]]''': a [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] outpost ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | |||
* | * {{inlineref|primaries}}: basic food groups ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | ||
* | * '''[[Protector]]''': a defense attorney in a Tribunal ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]) | ||
* | * {{inlineref|protein}}: another type of food | ||
* {{inlineref|protest}}: the equivalent of saying "objection" in a Colonial Tribunal ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|proton energizers}}: a type of weapon on an [[Eastern Alliance destroyer]] ([[Experiment in Terra]]) | |||
* turboshower: a shower ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]) | * '''[[pyramid (TOS)|pyramid]]''': a card game, similar to [[w:poker|poker]] | ||
* travelator: a travel agent ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | * '''[[quadrant]]''': region of space, see also [[Sector]]. Usually named after a Greek letter, or (less frequently) a star system or planet | ||
* [[triad (TOS)|triad]]: a contact sport, similar to football or basketball | * '''[[scanner]]''': term for a computer monitor and television set | ||
* [[tylium]]: a fuel source, highly combustible ([[Fire in Space]]) | * {{inlineref|scorpius}}: likely term for a scorpion; [[Maga]] comments that [[Borellian Nomen]] have the patience of such a creature, he also comments that the name "Borellian Nomen" strike fear at the hearts of those who hear it like the scorpius ([[The Man with Nine Lives]]) | ||
* [[daggit|wardaggit]]: "war dog" ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]) | * '''[[sector]]''': region of space or planet, see also [[Quadrant]]. Usually named after a Greek letter (space sectors), or a geographic formation on the surface of a planet (geographic sector, e.g. [[Sector Hekla]] on the planet [[Arcta]]) | ||
* {{inlineref|sleep period}}: Colonial term for bedtime | |||
* '''[[seal]]''': marriage | |||
* {{inlineref|sickbed}}: term for bed rest when one is recovering from an illness ([[The Young Lords]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|skybus}}: a type of starship ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | |||
* '''[[solium]]''': a type of fuel | |||
* '''[[solonite]]''': an explosive used in demolitions ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]) | |||
* '''[[spacedrome]]''': a space port ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|tape coder}}: a voice recording device; [[Thane]] successfully passes off a [[hand mine]] as a device ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|telecom}}: an internal communications phone aboard ''Galactica'' ([[Fire in Space]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|tinhead}}: epithet used to describe Cylons ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]) | |||
* '''[[tribunal]]''': a Colonial court hearing | |||
* {{inlineref|turboflush}}: a toilet ([[Baltar's Escape]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|turboram thruster}}: a type of engine or thruster; in a [[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I|deleted scene]] where Serina completes her first landing, Serina turns off this part of the [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|Colonial shuttle]] as a part of her landing sequence ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|turboshower}}: a shower ([[Murder on the Rising Star]]) | |||
* {{inlineref|travelator}}: a travel agent ([[Saga of a Star World]]) | |||
* '''[[triad (TOS)|triad]]''': a contact sport, similar to football or basketball | |||
* '''[[tylium]]''': a fuel source, highly combustible ([[Fire in Space]]) | |||
* '''[[daggit|wardaggit]]''': "war dog" ([[The Living Legend, Part I]]) | |||
=== Units of Measure === | === Units of Measure === | ||
| Line 102: | Line 132: | ||
{| class="messagebox" | {| class="messagebox" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! | ! Colonial Unit | ||
! Earth Unit | ! Earth Unit | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 108: | Line 138: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="99" | [[Yahren|yahren]] | | width="99" | [[Yahren|yahren]] | ||
| width="99" | [[Wikipedia:Year|year]] | | width="99" | [[Wikipedia:Year|year]]<ref>Yahren ''may'' be only about 2/3 of a year; see [[Yahren#Note|note]].</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[quatron]] | ||
| [[Wikipedia:month|month]] | | [[Wikipedia:month|month]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[secton]] | ||
| [[Wikipedia:week|week]] | | [[Wikipedia:week|week]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 119: | Line 149: | ||
| [[Wikipedia:day|day]] | | [[Wikipedia:day|day]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[centar]] | ||
| hour | | hour | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[millicenton]] | ||
| 10 minutes | | 10 minutes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[centon]] | ||
| minute | | minute<ref>In episodes such as "[[Saga of a Star World]]" and "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]", centon is used as the Colonial equivalent of a week before being retconned in later episodes.</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[micron]] | ||
| second | | second | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[microcenton]] | ||
| second [[ | | second<ref>[[micron|Microcenton]] is likely another term for "micron"; [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] uses this term when he says "switching off [[Intercept 2|of you]] for a microcenton to scan ahead" ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]])</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="2" align="center" class="infoboxheader" | Distance measurements | | colspan="2" align="center" class="infoboxheader" | Distance measurements | ||
| Line 142: | Line 172: | ||
| [[Wikipedia:Miles|9 Million Miles]] | | [[Wikipedia:Miles|9 Million Miles]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[sectar ( | | [[sectar (unit)|sectar]] | ||
| [[Wikipedia:Miles|9 Million Miles (?)]] | | [[Wikipedia:Miles|9 Million Miles (?)]]<ref>A [[Sectar (TOS)|sectar]] is an unknown unit of measure, measuring either distance or time.</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[metric]] | | [[metric]] | ||
| Line 153: | Line 183: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[metron]] | | [[metron]] | ||
| [[Wikipedia:Metre|meter]] [[# | | [[Wikipedia:Metre|meter]]<ref>"Metron" is used in a [[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I|deleted scene]] as [[Serina]] approaches the starboard landing bay ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]); likely similar to a meter, which is known as a "metric" in other episodes.</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="2" align="center" class="infoboxheader" | Scientific measurements | | colspan="2" align="center" class="infoboxheader" | Scientific measurements | ||
| Line 166: | Line 196: | ||
| [[Wikipedia:Rad (unit)|rad]] | | [[Wikipedia:Rad (unit)|rad]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[volton]] | ||
| [[Wikipedia:voltage|voltage]] | | [[Wikipedia:voltage|voltage]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[ | | [[wavelon]] | ||
| [[Wikipedia:wavelength|wavelength]] | | [[Wikipedia:wavelength|wavelength]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
====Table notes==== | ====Table notes==== | ||
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [http://chrispappas.com/archives/wguide.html | * [http://chrispappas.com/archives/wguide.html Battlestar Galactica - Writers Guide], transcribed by Chris Pappas | ||
[[Category:A to Z]] | [[Category:A to Z]] | ||
Revision as of 01:13, 13 September 2009
- For terms used in separate continuity and unproduced script sources, see: List of terms (TOS alternate).
| Part of the series on Battlestar Galactica Terminology
| |
The Colonials and Cylons employ terminology that is different or unknown to us. These include military jargon, colloquialisms, sayings, and technical terms. This article serves to organize and summarize them, leading to different articles if the term needs to be further expanded upon.
Acronyms
- CORA: Computer, Oral Response Activated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a Viper (The Long Patrol)
Military jargon
- "flash inspection": an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer (Saga of a Star World)
- "four-point peel off": a maneuver performed with a group of four Vipers (War of the Gods, Part I)
- "free flight jump": an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle (The Living Legend, Part II)
- "life station relief": sick call (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II)
- "maximum G-climb": a maneuver done near a celestial body, which may cause the pilot to blackout; Starbuck orders C.O.R.A. to perform this maneuver, which causes the pursuing Raider to crash into the loading docks on Proteus (The Lost Warrior)
- "stand alert": Colonial term for "attention" (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- "stripped and moduled": a consequence of severe infractions in military law, likely similar to being stripped of one's rank and thrown in hack; Greenbean expresses a fear of this happening as Giles asks where he got the alcohol from (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- Warrior: an all purpose term for Colonial soldier and Viper pilot
Sayings
- "By your command": a typical Cylons response to an order (Saga of a Star World, et al.)
- "By your leave": a Colonial response to an order (Saga of a Star World, et al.)
- "clear as the Nubian sun": a saying, similar to "as clear as day"; Cain uses this saying when referencing to the non-existent Raiders he allegedly pursued when he made his attack on the Cylon fuel tankers (The Living Legend, Part I).
- "daggit drivel": a term used to describe someone's lies, similar to "garbage" or "bullshit"; Lucifer uses this term when asking if Baltar believes Specter's false reports (The Young Lords).
- "For the glory of Caprica": saying used by the Colonials, particularly those from Caprica (Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II).
- "Go rust yourself": Colonial equivalent to "go fuck yourself", typically used towards Cylons; Cadet Cree says this to Vulpa while the Cylons interrogate him (The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I).
- "laser in their side": analogue to "thorn in their side", Starbuck uses this term to describe how the actions of Megan's surviving children have kept their father alive at Cylon hands (The Young Lords).
- "like a daggit on a sunspot": fidgety; Apollo points out that Starbuck acts this way during his pre-flight meeting on destroying the mines in the Straits of Madagon (Saga of a Star World).
Other colloquialisms
- astrum: buttocks (The Living Legend, Part I)
- Barge Lice: a "term of endearment" for prisoners on the Prison Barge
- felgercarb: expletive, similar to "crap"
- frack: expletive, similar to "shit"
- galmonging: an expletive, possibly similar to "asshole" or "God damned"
- Hades hole: hell hole, used to describe the Red planet (War of the Gods, Part I)
- mong-raking: an expletive; after thwarting their attack on Galactica, Cain comments that "those mong-raking Cylons are in a state of shock right now" due to the apperances of Pegasus (The Living Legend, Part II)
- plant vapors: a psychoactive drug familiar to the Colonials; Boomer comments that the Blonde Taurus woman on Carillon was probably "smoking plant vapors" (Saga of a Star World)
- pogees: expletive, similar to "shit" (The Living Legend, Part II)
- socialator: a sex worker, escort, prostitute (Saga of a Star World)
Battlestar Galactica specific terms
- agro: products related to agriculture (The Magnificent Warriors)
- ambrosa: an expensive alcoholic intoxicant
- auto-control: auto-pilot; Brie is instructed by Starbuck to activate this after having problems on her first launch from Galactica (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")
- bio-pulse line: an unspecified body function, possibly an emotional state; Starbuck attempts to use this as an excuse to not join Apollo's mission to clear the Cylon minefield (Saga of a Star World)
- boraton: a liquid that extinguishes fires (Fire in Space)
- breather: term for a breathing mask, or a life support system supplying air (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- bureautician: bureaucrat, politician (Saga of a Star World)
- carbide: a likely term for carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- centura: possibly an expression related to percentages. "If we just let him lie in that life pod he doesn't have a chance in a centura" (Fire in Space).
- Chief Opposer: a prosecuting attorney in a trial (Murder on the Rising Star).
- chronometer: a time keeping device, essentially a watch (Saga of a Star World)
- computape: a video recording; Sire Solon watched computapes of the triad match between Ortega and Starbuck (Murder on the Rising Star)
- crawlon: a spider (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- comline: a communication channel between ships
- cubit: a form of coined currency
- daggit: a dog
- death stone: tombstone (The Long Patrol)
- drone: a term for a robot, such as Muffit II (Saga of a Star World)
- ducket: a type of prepaid voucher used on the shuttle Canaris, typically collected at the end of the shuttle trip (The Man with Nine Lives)
- flight slumber: unintentionally sleeping while flying a craft, like a Viper; Apollo attempts to write off John and his second visit to the Ship of Lights as being a dream from a flight slumber (Experiment in Terra)
- fumarello: a small cigar that Starbuck typically smokes
- furlon: a furlough, or short leave of absence for Warriors in the Colonial Military service (The Man with Nine Lives)
- geogram: a diagram; Ravashol shows Apollo a geogram of the pulsar with instructions on how to destroy it (The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II)
- glaiders: coined currency on Equellus (The Lost Warrior)
- grog: an intoxicating beverage, likely similar to beer
- Homemade Buzzer: a version of "moonshine" on Equellus (The Lost Warrior)
- hovermobile: apparently a form of ground transportation, that can be hot-wired (Fire in Space)
- ion field: a stellar phenomenon, which can cause scanner echoes (The Living Legend, Part I)
- ion vapors: likely term referring to the trail of a turbo engine (The Long Patrol)
- isoldin: a type of intravenous fluid given to patients (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- leisuron: a vacation or leave of absence, similar to a furlon (deleted scene, "Saga of a Star World")
- lextrium III: a type of fuel used by the Eastern Alliance destroyer (Experiment in Terra)
- life pod: a life support bed used in the life center aboard Galactica (Fire in Space)
- lupus: a wolf-like animal
- mega star: a star; in a deleted scene, Omega reports of the "mega star" they detect as they leave the magnetic void (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II)
- mega sun: a star; the Nomen come from the "land of the mega sun" (The Man with Nine Lives)
- med tech: a medical technician, such as a nurse or orderly
- modocker: an unknown term, likely of endearment; Cain asks Apollo how Adama is by asking, "Well, how is he? How is that old modocker?" (The Living Legend, Part I)
- mushies: a food
- nightflyer: an owl-like creature on Equellus that hoots (The Lost Warrior)
- officiator: someone who oversees a triad game (Murder on the Rising Star)
- Orion hasher: something that is black and blue; Cassiopeia comments that Starbuck looks like one after his matches with Ortega (Murder on the Rising Star)
- oviner: a rancher (The Lost Warrior)
- plant vapors: some sort of drug, likely a reference to marijuana (Saga of a Star World)
- pluton: a radioactive material whose radiation breaks down food (Saga of a Star World)
- pods: a Cylon outpost (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- primaries: basic food groups (Saga of a Star World)
- Protector: a defense attorney in a Tribunal (Murder on the Rising Star)
- protein: another type of food
- protest: the equivalent of saying "objection" in a Colonial Tribunal (Murder on the Rising Star)
- proton energizers: a type of weapon on an Eastern Alliance destroyer (Experiment in Terra)
- pyramid: a card game, similar to poker
- quadrant: region of space, see also Sector. Usually named after a Greek letter, or (less frequently) a star system or planet
- scanner: term for a computer monitor and television set
- scorpius: likely term for a scorpion; Maga comments that Borellian Nomen have the patience of such a creature, he also comments that the name "Borellian Nomen" strike fear at the hearts of those who hear it like the scorpius (The Man with Nine Lives)
- sector: region of space or planet, see also Quadrant. Usually named after a Greek letter (space sectors), or a geographic formation on the surface of a planet (geographic sector, e.g. Sector Hekla on the planet Arcta)
- sleep period: Colonial term for bedtime
- seal: marriage
- sickbed: term for bed rest when one is recovering from an illness (The Young Lords)
- skybus: a type of starship (Saga of a Star World)
- solium: a type of fuel
- solonite: an explosive used in demolitions (The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II)
- spacedrome: a space port (Saga of a Star World)
- tape coder: a voice recording device; Thane successfully passes off a hand mine as a device (The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II)
- telecom: an internal communications phone aboard Galactica (Fire in Space)
- tinhead: epithet used to describe Cylons (The Living Legend, Part I)
- tribunal: a Colonial court hearing
- turboflush: a toilet (Baltar's Escape)
- turboram thruster: a type of engine or thruster; in a deleted scene where Serina completes her first landing, Serina turns off this part of the Colonial shuttle as a part of her landing sequence (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I)
- turboshower: a shower (Murder on the Rising Star)
- travelator: a travel agent (Saga of a Star World)
- triad: a contact sport, similar to football or basketball
- tylium: a fuel source, highly combustible (Fire in Space)
- wardaggit: "war dog" (The Living Legend, Part I)
Units of Measure
Table notes
- ↑ Yahren may be only about 2/3 of a year; see note.
- ↑ In episodes such as "Saga of a Star World" and "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I", centon is used as the Colonial equivalent of a week before being retconned in later episodes.
- ↑ Microcenton is likely another term for "micron"; Starbuck uses this term when he says "switching off of you for a microcenton to scan ahead" (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II)
- ↑ A sectar is an unknown unit of measure, measuring either distance or time.
- ↑ "Metron" is used in a deleted scene as Serina approaches the starboard landing bay (Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II); likely similar to a meter, which is known as a "metric" in other episodes.
See also
- Battlestar Galactica - Writers Guide, transcribed by Chris Pappas