Terminology

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	Original Series Separate Continuity and Unproduced Scripts; Richard Hatch's Continuation Novels; Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880; ; Galactica 1980; Re-imagined Series Separate Continuity (Books, Comics, Video Games, et al.); ;
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	Part of the series on; Battlestar Galactica Terminology
	Original Series Separate Continuity and Unproduced Scripts; Richard Hatch's Continuation Novels; Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880; ; Galactica 1980; Re-imagined Series Separate Continuity (Books, Comics, Video Games, et al.); ;
	v·d·e

FTL: Faster Than Light
BSG: BSG
Frak
Frakker
frakking
frak
frakked
frakker: Frak
XO: Executive Officer
CAG: Commander Air Group

The Colonials and Cylons employ a distinct nomenclature of military jargon, colloquialisms, sayings, and technical terms to create a culture distinctly "alien" to the audience. This article serves to organize and summarize this terminology, leading to different articles if the term needs to be further expanded upon.

The formatting of this article allows for its use in conjunction with the Lingo extension used throughout Battlestar Wiki. This includes multiple spellings, each listed on its own line, preceding the definition of the definidendum.

Acronyms[edit]

CORA
C.O.R.A.: Original Series definition: Computer, Oral Response Activated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a Viper ^{(TOS: "The Long Patrol")}

Honorifics[edit]

Count: Original Series definition: a title of nobility (e.g. Count Iblis)
Lord: Original Series definition: a title of nobility (e.g. Lord Baltar)
Sire: Original Series definition: a title of nobility akin to "Sir," typically ascribed to a civilian of the male gender (e.g. Sire Uri, Sire Solon)
Siress: Original Series definition: a title of nobility, typically ascribed to a civilian of the female gender (e.g. Siress Tinia, Siress Blassie)

Colloquialisms[edit]

astrum: Original Series definition: buttocks ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}
Barge Lice
barge lice: Original Series definition: disparaging term for prisoners on the Prison Barge
crasoney: Original Series definition: disparagement, perhaps akin to "cretin"; Boomer refers to Sire Bogan's men thusly, after said men burgle Siress Belloby's energizer from Boomer and Starbuck's sled (see: felgercarb)
equinus' atrum: Original Series definition: disparagement, akin to "horse's ass"; Apollo reveals feeling thusly for disbelieving Chameleon's suggestion that he might be Starbuck's father ^{(TOS: "The Man with Nine Lives")}
felgercarb: Original Series definition: expletive, similar to "crap" (see: felgercarb)
frack: Original Series definition: expletive, similar to "shit" (see: frack)
galmonging: Original Series definition: an expletive, possibly similar to "asshole" or "God damned" (see: galmonging)
Hades hole: Original Series definition: hell hole; used to describe the Red planet ^{(TOS: "War of the Gods, Part I")}
mong-raking: Original Series definition: 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 appearance of Pegasus ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part II")}
plant vapors: Original Series definition: a psychoactive drug familiar to the Colonials; Boomer comments that the Blonde Taurus woman on Carillon was probably "smoking plant vapors" ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
pogees: Original Series definition: expletive, similar to "shit" ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part II")}
socialator: Original Series definition: a sex worker, escort, prostitute ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}

General Jargon[edit]

Agro
agro: Original Series definition: agriculture ^{(TOS: "The Magnificent Warriors")}
ambrosa: Original Series definition: an expensive alcoholic intoxicant (see: ambrosa)
auto-control: Original Series definition: auto-pilot; Brie is instructed by Starbuck to activate this after having problems on her first launch from Galactica ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
bio-pulse line: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
boraton: Original Series definition: a liquid that extinguishes fires ^{(TOS: "Fire in Space")}
breather: Original Series definition: a breathing mask, or a life support system supplying air ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
bureautician: Original Series definition: bureaucrat, politician ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
carbide: Original Series definition: a likely term for carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
centura: Original Series definition: 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" ^{(TOS: "Fire in Space")}.
Chief Opposer: Original Series definition: a prosecuting attorney in a trial ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
chronometers
chronometer: Original Series definition: a time keeping device, essentially a watch ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
computape: Original Series definition: a video recording; Sire Solon watched computapes of the triad match between Ortega and Starbuck ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
crawlon: Original Series definition: a spider ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
comline: Original Series definition: a communication channel between ships
cubit
cubits: Original Series definition: a form of coined currency (see: cubit)
daggit: Original Series definition: a domesticated canine, e.g. dog (see: daggit)
death stone: Original Series definition: tombstone ^{(TOS: "The Long Patrol")}
drone: Original Series definition: a term for a robot, such as Muffit II ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
ducat: Original Series definition: a ticket; Cassiopeia acquires two tickets to the Spheroid concert ^{(TOS: "Take the Celestra")}
ducket: Original Series definition: a type of prepaid voucher used on the shuttle Canaris, typically collected at the end of the shuttle trip ^{(TOS: "The Man with Nine Lives")}
flight slumber: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "Experiment in Terra")}
fumarello: Original Series definition: a small cigar that Starbuck typically smokes (see: fumarello)
furlon: Original Series definition: a furlough, or short leave of absence for Warriors in the Colonial Military service ^{(TOS: "The Man with Nine Lives")}
geogram: Original Series definition: a diagram; Ravashol shows Apollo a geogram of the pulsar with instructions on how to destroy it ^{(TOS: "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II")}
glaiders: Original Series definition: coined currency on Equellus ^{(TOS: "The Lost Warrior")}
grog: Original Series definition: an intoxicating beverage, likely similar to beer (see: grog)
Homemade Buzzer: Original Series definition: a version of "moonshine" on Equellus, see: Homemade Buzzer ^{(TOS: "The Lost Warrior")}
hovermobile: Original Series definition: form of ground transportation that can be hot-wired ^{(TOS: "Fire in Space")}
ion field: Original Series definition: a stellar phenomenon, which can cause scanner echoes ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}
ion vapors: Original Series definition: likely term referring to the trail of a turbo engine ^{(TOS: "The Long Patrol")}
isoldin: Original Series definition: a type of intravenous fluid given to patients, see: isoldin ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
leisuron: Original Series definition: a vacation or leave of absence, similar to a furlon (TOS: deleted scene, "Saga of a Star World"); Note: An alternate spelling, "liesuron," appears in the comic book adaptation.
lextrium
lextrium III: Original Series definition: a fuel used by the Eastern Alliance destroyer ^{(TOS: "Experiment in Terra")}
life pod: Original Series definition: a life support bed used in Galactica's life center ^{(TOS: "Fire in Space")}
lupus: Original Series definition: a wolf-like animal (see: lupus)
mega star: Original Series definition: a star; in a deleted scene, Omega reports of the "mega star" they detect as they leave the magnetic void ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II")}
mega sun: Original Series definition: a star; the Nomen come from the "land of the mega sun" ^{(TOS: "The Man with Nine Lives")}
med tech: Original Series definition: a medical technician, such as a nurse or orderly (e.g. Cassiopeia)
meteor fire: Original Series definition: meteor storm; Starbuck likens the readouts on his instrument panel "lighting up like a meteor fire" upon coming across the magnetic void ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
modocker: Original Series definition: an unknown term, likely of endearment; Cain asks Apollo how Adama is by asking, "Well, how is he? How is that old modocker?" ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}
mushies: Original Series definition: a food (see: mushies)
nightflyer: Original Series definition: an owl-like creature on Equellus that hoots; Red-Eye asks Vella and Puppis about the "strange sound" heard by Lacerta in town, to which Puppis offers that he heard a "nightflyer hoot down by the woods" ^{(TOS: "The Lost Warrior")}. ^{(TOS: "The Lost Warrior")}
officiator: Original Series definition: someone who oversees a triad game ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
Orion hasher: Original Series definition: something that is black and blue; Cassiopeia comments that Starbuck looks like one after his matches with Ortega ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
oviner: Original Series definition: a rancher ^{(TOS: "The Lost Warrior")}
pluton: Original Series definition: a radioactive material whose radiation breaks down food (see: pluton poisoning) ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
pods: Original Series definition: a Cylon outpost ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
primaries: Original Series definition: basic food groups ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
Protector: Original Series definition: a defense attorney in a tribunal ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
protein: Original Series definition: another type of food
protest: Original Series definition: the equivalent of saying "objection" in a Colonial Tribunal ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
pulse scrambled code: Original Series definition: secure method of communication used by the Colonial Fleet ^{(TOS: "The Lost Warrior")}
pyramid: Original Series definition: a card game, similar to poker (see: pyramid)
quadrant: Original Series definition: region of space, see also Sector. Usually named after a Greek letter, or (less frequently) a star system or planet.
scorpius: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "The Man with Nine Lives")}
sector: Original Series definition: 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: Original Series definition: bedtime
seal: Original Series definition: marriage
sickbed: Original Series definition: term for bed rest when one is recovering from an illness ^{(TOS: "The Young Lords")}
skybus: Original Series definition: a type of starship ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
solium: Original Series definition: a type of fuel (see: solium)
solonite: Original Series definition: an explosive used in demolitions (see: solonite) ^{(TOS: "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II")}
spacedrome: Original Series definition: a planet-based space port (see: spacedrome) ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
star speed: Original Series definition: a speed which is used by Eastern Alliance ^{(TOS: "Greetings From Earth")}
telecom: Original Series definition: internal communications phone aboard Galactica ^{(TOS: "Fire in Space")}
tinhead: Original Series definition: epithet used to describe Cylons ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}
tribunal: Original Series definition: a Colonial court hearing (see: Law of the Twelve Colonies)
turbo: Original Series definition: Warrior slang for their Viper's high-velocity booster engines, e.g. "hit your turbos"
turboflush: Original Series definition: a toilet ^{(TOS: "Baltar's Escape")}
turboram thruster: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
turboshower: Original Series definition: a shower ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
travelator: Original Series definition: a travel agent ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
triad: Original Series definition: a contact sport, similar to football or basketball (see: triad)
tylium: Original Series definition: a highly combustible fuel (see: tylium) ^{(TOS: "Fire in Space")}
wardaggit: Original Series definition: "war dog" ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}

Technology[edit]

gyro capacitors
transmit tek
zonar modules: Original Series definition: component of a Viper's stabilizer system ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}^[1]
laser controller
otron extension
point diverters
proton activator: Original Series definition: component of a Viper's weapon system ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}^[1]
proton energizer: Original Series definition: a type of weapon on an Eastern Alliance destroyer ^{(TOS: "Experiment in Terra")}
scanner: Original Series definition: interchangeable term for a computer monitor and television set (see: scanner)
tape coder: Original Series definition: a voice recording device; Thane successfully passes off a hand mine as a device ^{(TOS: "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II")}

Military Jargon[edit]

flash inspection: Original Series definition: an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}
four-point peel off: Original Series definition: a maneuver performed with a group of four Vipers ^{(TOS: "War of the Gods, Part I")}
free flight jump: Original Series definition: an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part II")}
life station relief: Original Series definition: sick call ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II")}
maximum G-climb: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "The Lost Warrior")}
stand alert: Original Series definition: Colonial term for "attention" ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
stripped and moduled: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")}
Warrior: Original Series definition: an all-purpose term for Colonial soldier and Viper pilot (see: Warrior)

Sayings[edit]

By your command: Original Series definition: a typical Cylon response to an order (see: By your command) (TOS: "Saga of a Star World," et al.)

By your leave: Original Series definition: a Colonial response to an order (see: By your leave) (TOS: "Saga of a Star World," et al.)

clear as the Nubian sun: Original Series definition: 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 (see: Nubian sun) ^{(TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")}

daggit drivel: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "The Young Lords")}

For the glory of Caprica: Original Series definition: saying used by the Colonials, particularly those from Caprica ^{(TOS: "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II")}

Go rust yourself: Original Series definition: Colonial equivalent to "go fuck yourself," typically used towards Cylons; Cadet Cree says this to Vulpa while the Cylons interrogate him ^{(TOS: "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I")}

laser in their side: Original Series definition: 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 ^{(TOS: "The Young Lords")}

like a daggit on a sunspot: Template:Te`rmfidgety; Apollo points out that Starbuck acts this way during his pre-flight meeting on destroying the mines in the Straits of Madagon ^{(TOS: "Saga of a Star World")}

Units of Measure[edit]

Time[edit]

yahren: Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "year" (see: Yahren)
quatron: Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "month"
secton: Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "week"
time cycle: Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "day"
centar: Original Series definition: unit of time akin to an "hour"
millicenton: Original Series definition: unit of time; approx. 10 minutes
centon: Original Series definition: a unit of time akin to a "minute"; in earlier episodes (e.g. "Saga of a Star World," "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I"), centon is used as the Colonial equivalent of a week before being retconned in later episodes
microcenton
micron: Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "second"; Microcenton is likely another term for "micron"; Starbuck uses this term when he says "switching off of you for a microcenton to scan ahead" ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II")}

Distance[edit]

parsec: Original Series definition: a unit of distance, the Earth measurement being equivalent to 90 million miles
hectar: Original Series definition: a unit of distance, the Earth measurement being equivalent to 9 million miles (i.e. 1/10th of a parsec)
sectar
sectares: Original Series definition: an unspecified measure of distance, interchangeably used as an unspecified measure of time (see: sectar (unit))
metric: Original Series definition: a unit of distance, the Earth measurement being equivalent to a kilometer
maxim: Original Series definition: a unit of distance, the Earth measurement being equivalent to 10 meters (see: maxim)
metron: Original Series definition: unit of distance of smaller denomination than maxim, the Earth measurement being equivalent to meter; used in a deleted scene as Serina approaches the starboard landing bay ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II")}

Scientific measurements[edit]

ergon
ergons: Original Series definition: unspecified unit of radiation (laser) energy, used to measure output of energizers and laser weapons ^{(TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")}
megon: Original Series definition: unit of weight, akin to a megaton
radion: Original Series definition: unit of energy, akin to a rad
volton: Original Series definition: unit of energy, akin to a volt
wavelon: Original Series definition: unit of energy, akin to wavelength

Notes[edit]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 As noted from Sheba's scanner readout in "The Living Legend, Part I". Refer to this image.

Earth terms[edit]

The following are Earth terms that the Colonials do not immediately understand, thus having to learn about them through experience or by using their wrist computron.

APB: Galactica 1980 definition: all points bulletin; Dillon goes to look this term up, but is stopped by Jamie Hamilton, who informs them about the general meaning of the term ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III")}
A.M.: Galactica 1980 definition: Troy mispronounces this as the word "am," which is corrected by the desk clerk ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
bigshot: Galactica 1980 definition: after being called this at the police station for asking to speak to Dr. Donald Mortinson, Dillon asks what a bigshot is ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
chauvinist: Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon is called both a terrorist and a chauvinist by Jamie Hamilton during their phone call from the police station; he asks Troy "what's a terrorist chauvinist?" ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
coffee: Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon looks up this term after Jamie Hamilton orders a coffee at a diner, upon their return to 1980 Earth ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III")}.
Cuba: Galactica 1980 definition: When two hijackers first make their demands aboard Flight 2, Dillon looks up this place, but Troy replies they don't have time to go there ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
department store: Galactica 1980 definition: Troy looks this up when attempting to find a place to procure clothing for the Super Scouts ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}
dollar: Galactica 1980 definition: When Hamilton asks Troy and Dillon for a dollar, Dillon looks the term up and then replies "No, I'm sorry, but we just used our last denomination of currency ourselves." ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
Eagle: Galactica 1980 definition: Moonstone looks this up after Colonel Jack Sydell mentions that he used to be an Eagle scout; there is subsequent humor over the term as it literally means "a large bird," and does not provide the definition of the Boy Scout level ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}
FBI: Galactica 1980 definition: After being told by the stewardess that the FBI would want to talk to them regarding their involvement in thwarting the Cuban hijackers, Dillon is told to look up this term ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
girlfriend: Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon looks up this term after Gloria Alonzo asks if he has one ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}
Halloween: Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon goes to look up this term when the stewardess announces that the delayed passengers will be at their Halloween parties in plenty of time, but is stopped by Troy who tells him to look up the term FBI ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}.
hijacking: Galactica 1980 definition: Troy and Dillon look up this word after the desk clerk explains the reasons for the metal detectors. Unsurprisingly, a hijacking by Cuban nationals subsequently occurs on their flight ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}.
horse: Galactica 1980 definition: When John Steadman asks if the Warriors know anything about these creatures, Dillon looks this up ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}
Martians: Galactica 1980 definition: After discovering the ineptitude of Dillon and Troy in driving an automobile, she asks if they are Martians. After consulting the computron, Dillon replies: "Close." ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
phone: Galactica 1980 definition: Troy attempts to use a phone booth near a gas station prior to their first run-in with Jamie Hamilton ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}.
robbing a bank: Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon doesn't understand the situation he is placed in when attempting to exchange the gold cubits for American currency with a judgmental bank teller, this being the end result ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}.
terrorist: Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon is called both a terrorist and a chauvinist by Jamie Hamilton during their phone call from the police station; he asks Troy "what's a terrorist chauvinist?" ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}

Colonial terms[edit]

These are terms directly relating to Galactica 1980, some of which are based from the Original Series. For terms from that series, please refer to List of terms (TOS).

airfoil deflection: Galactica 1980 definition: a piece of equipment on a Viper that reduces air drag in an atmosphere ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}
alpha waves: Galactica 1980 definition: type of signals used in correcting disturbed brainwave patterns ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}
ascension tube: Galactica 1980 definition: elevator; Dillon refers to the elevators at the WQSL radio station building as these ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II")}
astral wind: Galactica 1980 definition: wind; Starbuck experiences these on planet Starbuck ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}
auric: Galactica 1980 definition: gold; cubits are minted from this ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}
auto flight: Galactica 1980 definition: automatic piloting system aboard a Viper, which can be loaded with coordinates ^{(1980: "Spaceball")}
automatic beacon: Galactica 1980 definition: an electronic device that automatically transmits a distress signal ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}
automatic detonator: Galactica 1980 definition: a self destruct mechanism; such a mechanism is inside the A-B Raider and is activated by Andromus upon crash landing outside of New York City ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
battle urgent: Galactica 1980 definition: a term for high military alert, particularly in relation to crisis condition ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
brace: Galactica 1980 definition: a personal safety device on shuttles; i.e. safety belts ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}
breaking skip: Galactica 1980 definition: a maneuver done in an atmosphere; three of these are used by the Cylon A-B Raider to reduce speed to ensure a non-fatal landing ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
cerebral mutation: Galactica 1980 definition: Adama describes Doctor Zee as being this in his log when touching upon the topic of Zee's advanced intelligence, as well as scientific expertise that is far in advance of the Colonials ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
chromosome count: Galactica 1980 definition: a result from a remote scan that can discern a person's gender; Galactica's sensors indicated that one of the Viper carries a female occupant ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
chronic: Galactica 1980 definition: a unit of temperature; 2000 degrees chronic would be the skin temperature of the A-B Raider at maximum upon entering Earth's atmosphere ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
Commander's Court: Galactica 1980 definition: a court of law, probably over military disputes ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}.
communication media: Galactica 1980 definition: Colonial term vis-à-vis journalism ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
computron: Galactica 1980 definition: computer ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
Crisis condition: Galactica 1980 definition: a high-military alert; Adama uses this in light of Xaviar's escape into Earth's past to Nazi Germany circa 1944 ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
distress beacon: Galactica 1980 definition: the Cylon variant of the automatic beacon; a portable version of this is taken from the A-B Raider and attached to Centuri before Andromus and the Centurion escape the crash ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
energizer: Galactica 1980 definition: a power source (see: energizer); Dillon voices his concern that the energizer feeding power to the invisibility field hiding their Vipers needs to be recharged before the ships are rendered visible ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
epidermal transformation: Galactica 1980 definition: a process of changing one's outward appearance to look like someone else; Xaviar used this process to make himself look (and sound) like Lieutenant Nash ^{(1980: "Spaceball")}
felgercarb: Galactica 1980 definition: vulgarism equivalent to "shit" (see: felgercarb); Dillon uses this when discovering that his laser pistol wasn't set to stun ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
force field: Galactica 1980 definition: a safety device that restrains the Viper pilot in their seat ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}, Troy and Dillon refer to the invisibility field as thus ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
frack: Galactica 1980 definition: a term meaning "rats" or "shit" (see: frack); it is only used by Starbuck ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}
frimp: Galactica 1980 definition: mild derogatory term, essentially equivalent "dummy" or "idiot" ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part II", "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
function guard mechanism: Galactica 1980 definition: a mechanism in a Viper that transfers control from automatic to manual should any automatic function malfunction ^{(1980: "Spaceball")}
Galactican: Galactica 1980 definition: a member of the Fleet; Hamilton first uses the term when replying to Stockwell's question regarding Xavier's affiliation ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
Galactican fleet: Galactica 1980 definition: Cylons' term for the Fleet ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}
Galactic war: Galactica 1980 definition: a Cylon term for the war with the humans, which may refer to either (or both) the Thousand-Yahren War or their pursuit of Galactican fleet ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
kils: Galactica 1980 definition: a unit of measuring distance; the Earth's radius measures 6,378 of these ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}
limiter: Galactica 1980 definition: a device that limits the energy sent to a Viper's turbo charger ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}
navigational computron: Galactica 1980 definition: navigational computer; Adama says that coordinates to uninhabited landing zones on Earth are programmed in these ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
neuro-transmitter anogram: Galactica 1980 definition: a medical testing technique meant to test some aspects of neuro-transmitters; Troy requests Dr. Spencer run such a test, but he is unfamiliar with it ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}
nutrient monitor: Galactica 1980 definition: a device capable of monitoring the growth of plants ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}
Priority Red: Galactica 1980 definition: high priority ^{(1980: "Spaceball")}; Captain Kanon tells Britton to contact the Galactica with a Priority Red message regarding the A-B Raider ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I")}.
pulse jet: Galactica 1980 definition: a rocket; Dillon sees the V-1 flying bombs launching and calls them this ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
respiratory readout: Galactica 1980 definition: a result from a remote scan that can discern the number of people inside a ship; Colonel Boomer discerns from this readout that two people occupy one of the incoming Vipers ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
six-carbon-chain supplement: Galactica 1980 definition: a term for glucose, introduced intravenously ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}
sleep mode: Galactica 1980 definition: sleep ^{(1980: "Spaceball")}
study period: Galactica 1980 definition: a time where children are instructed, similar to instruction period in the Original Series ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}
support vapors: Galactica 1980 definition: air produced by a life support system ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}
time warp synthesizer: Galactica 1980 definition: a device of Doctor Zee's that allows travel back and forth in time ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}
tractor gear: Galactica 1980 definition: the landing gear of a Viper ^{(1980: "The Return of Starbuck")}
turbine: Galactica 1980 definition: the "flying motorcycles" used by Troy and Dillon ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
turbo charger: Galactica 1980 definition: a powered component of a Viper ^{(1980: "Space Croppers")}.
transmission band: Galactica 1980 definition: Colonial equivalent to "television channel" ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
wrist computron: Galactica 1980 definition: wrist computer, a device with a multitude of different capabilities ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}

Measurement[edit]

acron ions: Galactica 1980 definition: unit of measurement in determining signal strength ^{(1980: "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II")}
Mega-Kay: Galactica 1980 definition: a unit of astral distance; Boomer tells Troy that the Fleet is 30,000 Mega-Kays^[1] from Alpha Centauri ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}. Coincidentally, the term is also used as a measure of astronomical distance in the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century episode "Twiki is Missing." Of particular note, the term is used in relation to measuring the distance between Twiki and a star called Alpha Centari: that number, 33,000 Mega-Kays.
metron: Galactica 1980 definition: a unit equivalent to 1 hectometer^[2]

Sayings[edit]

May God go with you: Galactica 1980 definition: a salutation used upon departure to a serious mission; Adama uses this after Zee's presentation on the invisibility field ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}
The glory of the universe is intelligence.: Galactica 1980 definition: a saying Dillon imparts on Stockton when encouraging him to enter the anti-gravity ship ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part II")}

Terms from the scripts[edit]

voicescriber: Galactica 1980 definition: the log-keeping device Adama useres to dictate his journals, basically a form of voice recognition speech-to-text technology^[3]

References[edit]

↑ Script for "The Super Scouts, Part I," p. 15
↑ In the Original Series, a metron is defined as equivalent to 1 meter. See the metron article for additional information.
↑ Script for "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II", p. 1

[sheba-readout-1] 1.0 ^1.1 As noted from Sheba's scanner readout in "The Living Legend, Part I". Refer to this image.

[2] Script for "The Super Scouts, Part I," p. 15

[3] In the Original Series, a metron is defined as equivalent to 1 meter. See the metron article for additional information.

[4] Script for "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II", p. 1

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Terminology

Contents

Acronyms[edit]

Honorifics[edit]

Colloquialisms[edit]

General Jargon[edit]

Technology[edit]

Military Jargon[edit]

Sayings[edit]

Units of Measure[edit]

Time[edit]

Distance[edit]

Scientific measurements[edit]

Notes[edit]

See also[edit]

Earth terms[edit]

Colonial terms[edit]

Measurement[edit]

Sayings[edit]

Terms from the scripts[edit]

References[edit]

Part of the series on Battlestar Galactica Terminology
Original Series Separate Continuity and Unproduced Scripts Richard Hatch's Continuation Novels Steampunk Battlestar Galactica 1880 Galactica 1980 Re-imagined Series Separate Continuity (Books, Comics, Video Games, et al.)
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