List of terms (TOS): Difference between revisions

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
Browse history interactively
VisualWikitext
m (Text replacement - "Viper" to "{{TOS|Viper}}")
(44 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
This is a listing of terms in the [[Original Series]].  For terms seen in the Original Series' spin-off, ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', see [[List of terms (1980)]]. For terms used in the [[Re-imagined Series]], see [[List of terms (RDM)]].  
{{disline|For terms used in separate continuity and unproduced script sources, see: [[List of terms (TOS alternate)]].}}


== Acronyms ==


* '''[[CORA]]''': Computer, Oral Response Activated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] ([[The Long Patrol]])
{{terms series}}


== Military jargon ==
The Colonials and [[Cylons (TOS)|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.


* "{{inlineref|flash inspection}}": an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer ([[Saga of a Star World]])
== Acronyms ==
* "{{inlineref|four-point peel off}}": a maneuver performed with a group of four Vipers ([[War of the Gods, Part I]])
* "{{inlineref|free flight jump}}": an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle ([[The Living Legend, Part II]])
* "{{inlineref|life station relief}}": sick call ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]])
* "{{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 maeuver, which causes the pursuing [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]] to crash into the loading docks on [[Proteus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* "{{inlineref|stand alert}}": Colonial term for "attention" ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* "{{inlineref|stripped and moduled}}": a consequence of severe infractues 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 (TOS)|Cylons]] 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]]).
* '''[[CORA]]''': '''C'''omputer, '''O'''ral '''R'''esponse '''A'''ctivated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a {{TOS|Viper}} {{OS|The Long Patrol}}


* '''"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]]).
== Honorifics ==


* '''"[[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]]).
* {{inlineref|Count}}, a title of nobility (e.g. Count [[Iblis]])
* {{inlineref|Lord}}, a title of nobility (e.g. Lord {{TOS|Baltar}})
* '''[[Sire]]''', a title of nobility, typically ascribed to a civilian of the male gender (e.g. Sire [[Uri]], Sire [[Solon]])
* '''[[Sire]]ss''', a title of nobility, typically ascribed to a civilian of the female gender (e.g. Siress [[Tinia]], Siress [[Blassie]])


* '''"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]]).
== Colloquialisms ==


== Other colloquialisms ==
* {{inlineref|astrum}}: buttocks {{OS|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 similiar to "asshole" or "God damned"
* '''[[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]])
* '''Hades hole''': hell hole, used to describe the [[Red planet]] {{OS|War of the Gods, Part I}}
* {{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]])
* {{inlineref|mong-raking}}: an expletive; after thwarting their attack on ''{{TOS|Galactica}}'', [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] comments that "those mong-raking [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]] are in a state of shock right now" due to the appearance of ''{{TOS|Pegasus}}'' {{OS|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]])
* {{inlineref|plant vapors}}: a [[w:psychoactive drug|psychoactive drug]] familiar to the Colonials; {{TOS|Boomer}} comments that the [[Blonde Taurus]] woman on [[Carillon]] was probably "smoking plant vapors" {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* '''[[pogees]]''': expletive, similar to "shit" ([[The Living Legend, Part II]])
* '''[[pogees]]''': expletive, similar to "shit" {{OS|The Living Legend, Part II}}
* '''[[socialator]]''': a sex worker, escort, prostitute ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* '''[[socialator]]''': a sex worker, escort, prostitute {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}


== ''Battlestar Galactica'' specific terms ==
== General Jargon ==


* {{inlineref|agro}}: products related to [[Wikipedia:agriculture|agriculture]] {{OS|The Magnificent Warriors}}
* '''[[ambrosa]]''': an expensive alcoholic intoxicant
* '''[[ambrosa]]''': an expensive alcoholic intoxicant
* '''[[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|auto-control}}: auto-pilot; [[Brie]] is instructed by {{TOS|Starbuck}} to activate this after having problems on her first launch from ''{{TOS|Galactica}}'' {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* {{inlineref|boraton}}: a liquid that extinguishes fires ([[Fire in Space]])
* '''[[bio-pulse line]]''': an unspecified body function, possibly an emotional state; {{TOS|Starbuck}} attempts to use this as an excuse to not join {{TOS|Apollo}}'s mission to clear the [[Cylon Mine|Cylon minefield]] {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* '''[[breather]]''': term for a breathing mask, or a life support system supplying air ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* {{inlineref|boraton}}: a liquid that extinguishes fires {{OS|Fire in Space}}
* '''[[bureautician]]''': bureaucrat, politician ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* '''[[breather]]''': term for a breathing mask, or a life support system supplying air {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* '''[[carbide]]''': a likely term for [[w:carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]] or [[w:carbon monoxide|carbon monoxide]] ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* '''[[bureautician]]''': bureaucrat, politician {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* {{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]]).
* '''[[carbide]]''': a likely term for [[w:carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]] or [[w:carbon monoxide|carbon monoxide]] {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* {{inlineref|chronometers}}: a time keeping device, basically a watch ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* {{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" {{OS|Fire in Space}}.
* {{inlineref|crawlon}}: a spider ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* '''[[Chief Opposer]]''': a prosecuting attorney in a trial {{OS|Murder on the Rising Star}}.
* {{inlineref|chronometers|chronometer}}: a time keeping device, essentially a watch {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* {{inlineref|computape}}: a video recording; [[Sire]] [[Solon]] watched computapes of the [[triad (TOS)|triad]] match between [[Ortega]] and {{TOS|Starbuck}} {{OS|Murder on the Rising Star}}
* {{inlineref|crawlon}}: a spider {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* '''[[comline]]''': a communication channel between ships
* '''[[comline]]''': a communication channel between ships
* '''[[cubit]]''': a form of coined currency
* '''[[cubit]]''': a form of coined currency
* '''[[daggit]]''': a dog
* '''[[daggit]]''': a domesticated canine, e.g. dog
* {{inlineref|death stone}}: [[w:tombstone|tombstone]] ([[The Long Patrol]])
* {{inlineref|death stone}}: [[w:tombstone|tombstone]] {{OS|The Long Patrol}}
* {{inlineref|drone}}: a term for a robot, such as [[Muffit II]] ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* {{inlineref|drone}}: a term for a robot, such as [[Muffit II]] {{OS|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|ducket}}: a type of prepaid voucher used on the shuttle ''[[Canaris]]'', typically collected at the end of the shuttle trip {{OS|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]])
* {{inlineref|flight slumber}}: unintentionally sleeping while flying a craft, like a {{TOS|Viper}}; {{TOS|Apollo}} attempts to write off [[John]] and his second visit to the [[Ship of Lights]] as being a dream from a flight slumber {{OS|Experiment in Terra}}
* '''[[fumarello]]''': a small cigar that [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] typically smokes
* '''[[fumarello]]''': a small cigar that {{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]])
* '''[[furlon]]''': a [[w:furlough|furlough]], or short leave of absence for [[Warriors]] in the Colonial Military service {{OS|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]])
* {{inlineref|geogram}}: a diagram; [[Ravashol]] shows {{TOS|Apollo}} a geogram of the [[Ravashol pulsar|pulsar]] with instructions on how to destroy it {{OS|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II}}
* '''[[glaiders]]''': coined currency on [[Equellus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* '''[[glaiders]]''': coined currency on [[Equellus]] {{OS|The Lost Warrior}}
* '''[[grog]]''': an intoxicating beverage, likely similar to beer
* '''[[grog]]''': an intoxicating beverage, likely similar to beer
* {{inlineref|gyroball}}: a spherical toy larger than a marble ([[I Have Seen Earth]])
* '''[[Homemade Buzzer]]''': a version of "[[w:moonshine|moonshine]]" on [[Equellus]] {{OS|The Lost Warrior}}
* '''[[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 {{OS|Fire in Space}}
* {{inlineref|hovermobile}}: apparently a form of ground transportation, that can be hotwired ([[Fire in Space]])
* '''[[ion field]]''': a stellar phenomenon, which can cause scanner echoes {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}
* '''[[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 {{OS|The Long Patrol}}
* {{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 {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* '''[[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]] ([[TOS]]: [[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Saga of a Star World|deleted scene]], "[[Saga of a Star World]]")
* {{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]]")
** '''Note''': An alternate spelling, "[[liesuron]]," appears in the {{comics|marvel|1|comic book adaptation}}.
* {{inlineref|lextrium|lextrium III}}: a type of fuel used by the [[Eastern Alliance destroyer]] ([[Experiment in Terra]])
* {{inlineref|lextrium|lextrium III}}: a type of fuel used by the [[Eastern Alliance destroyer]] {{OS|Experiment in Terra}}
* {{inlineref|life pod}}: a life support bed used in the life center aboard ''Galactica'' ([[Fire in Space]])
* {{inlineref|life pod}}: a life support bed used in the life center aboard ''Galactica'' {{OS|Fire in Space}}
* '''[[lupus]]''': a wolf-like animal
* '''[[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 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]] {{OS|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|mega sun}}: a [[w:star|star]]; the Nomen come from the "land of the mega sun" {{OS|The Man with Nine Lives}}
* {{inlineref|med tech}}: a medical technician, such as a nurse or orderly
* {{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]])
* {{inlineref|meteor fire}}: meteor storm; {{TOS|Starbuck}} likens the readouts on his instrument panel "lighting up like a meteor fire" upon coming across the [[magnetic void]] {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* {{inlineref|modocker}}: an unknown term, likely of endearment; [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] asks {{TOS|Apollo}} how Adama is by asking, "Well, how is he? How is that old modocker?" {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}
* '''[[mushies]]''': a food  
* '''[[mushies]]''': a food  
* '''[[nightflyer]]''': an [[w:owl|owl]]-like creature on [[Equellus]] that hoots ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* '''[[nightflyer]]''': an [[w:owl|owl]]-like creature on [[Equellus]] that hoots {{OS|The Lost Warrior}}
* {{inlineref|officiator}}: someone who oversees a [[triad (TOS)|triad]] game
* {{inlineref|officiator}}: someone who oversees a [[triad (TOS)|triad]] game {{OS|Murder on the Rising Star}}
* '''[[oviner]]''': a rancher ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* {{inlineref|Orion hasher}}: something that is black and blue; [[Cassiopeia]] comments that {{TOS|Starbuck}} looks like one after his matches with [[Ortega]] {{OS|Murder on the Rising Star}}
* {{inlineref|plant vapors}}: some sort of drug, likely a reference to [[w:marijuana|marijuana]] ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* '''[[oviner]]''': a rancher {{OS|The Lost Warrior}}
* '''[[pluton poisoning|pluton]]''': a radioactive material whose radiation breaks down food ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* {{inlineref|plant vapors}}: some sort of drug, likely a reference to [[w:marijuana|marijuana]] {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* '''[[pods]]''': a [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] outpost ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* '''[[pluton poisoning|pluton]]''': a radioactive material whose radiation breaks down food {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* {{inlineref|primaries}}: basic food groups ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* '''[[pods]]''': a [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] outpost {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* {{inlineref|primaries}}: basic food groups {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* '''[[Protector]]''': a defense attorney in a Tribunal {{OS|Murder on the Rising Star}}
* {{inlineref|protein}}: another type of food
* {{inlineref|protein}}: another type of food
* {{inlineref|proton energizers}}: a type of weapon on an [[Eastern Alliance destroyer]] ([[Experiment in Terra]])
* {{inlineref|protest}}: the equivalent of saying "objection" in a Colonial Tribunal {{OS|Murder on the Rising Star}}
* {{inlineref|pulse scrambled code}}: secure method of communication used by the [[Colonial Fleet (TOS)|Colonial Fleet]] {{OS|The Lost Warrior}}
* '''[[pyramid (TOS)|pyramid]]''': a card game, similar to [[w:poker|poker]]
* '''[[pyramid (TOS)|pyramid]]''': a card game, similar to [[w:poker|poker]]
* '''[[quadrant]]''': a term for solar system
* '''[[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 telelvison set
* {{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 {{OS|The Man with Nine Lives}}
* {{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]])  
* '''[[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
* {{inlineref|sleep period}}: Colonial term for bedtime
* '''[[seal]]''': marriage
* '''[[seal]]''': marriage
* {{inlineref|sickbed}}: term for bed rest when one is recovering from an illness ([[The Young Lords]])
* {{inlineref|sickbed}}: term for bed rest when one is recovering from an illness {{OS|The Young Lords}}
* {{inlineref|skybus}}: a type of starship ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* {{inlineref|skybus}}: a type of starship {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* '''[[solium]]''': a type of fuel
* '''[[solium]]''': a type of fuel
* '''[[solonite]]''': an explosive used in demolitions ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]])
* '''[[solonite]]''': an explosive used in demolitions {{OS|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II}}
* '''[[spacedrome]]''': a space port ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* '''[[spacedrome]]''': a space port {{OS|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]])
* '''star speed''': a speed which is used by [[Eastern Alliance]] {{OS|Greetings from Earth}}
* {{inlineref|telecom}}: an internal communications phone aboard ''Galactica'' ([[Fire in Space]])
* {{inlineref|telecom}}: an internal communications phone aboard ''Galactica'' {{OS|Fire in Space}}
* {{inlineref|tinhead}}: epithet used to describe Cylons ([[The Living Legend, Part I]])
* {{inlineref|tinhead}}: epithet used to describe Cylons {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}
* {{inlineref|turboflush}}: a toilet ([[Baltar's Escape]])
* '''[[tribunal]]''': a Colonial court hearing
* {{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|turboflush}}: a toilet ([[TOS]]: "[[Baltar's Escape]]")
* {{inlineref|turboshower}}: a shower ([[Murder on the Rising Star]])
* {{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|Colonial shuttle]] as a part of her landing sequence {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* {{inlineref|travelator}}: a travel agent ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* {{inlineref|turboshower}}: a shower {{OS|Murder on the Rising Star}}
* {{inlineref|travelator}}: a travel agent {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* '''[[triad (TOS)|triad]]''': a contact sport, similar to football or basketball
* '''[[triad (TOS)|triad]]''': a contact sport, similar to football or basketball
* '''[[tylium]]''': a fuel source, highly combustible ([[Fire in Space]])
* '''[[tylium]]''': a fuel source, highly combustible {{OS|Fire in Space}}
* '''[[daggit|wardaggit]]''': "war dog" ([[The Living Legend, Part I]])
* '''[[daggit|wardaggit]]''': "war dog" {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}
 
== Technology ==
 
* {{inlineref|gyro capacitors}}: component of a {{TOS|Viper}}'s stabilizer system {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}<ref name="sheba-readout">As noted from [[Sheba]]'s [[scanner]] readout in "[[The Living Legend, Part I]]". [[:File:LL1 - Viper Technical Readout.png|Refer to this image.]]</ref>
* {{inlineref|laser controllers}}: component of a {{TOS|Viper}}'s weapon system {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}<ref name="sheba-readout"/>
* {{inlineref|otron extensions}}: component of a {{TOS|Viper}}'s weapon system {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}<ref name="sheba-readout"/>
* {{inlineref|point diverters}}: component of a {{TOS|Viper}}'s weapon system {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}<ref name="sheba-readout"/>
* {{inlineref|proton activators}}: component of a {{TOS|Viper}}'s weapon system {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}<ref name="sheba-readout"/>
* {{inlineref|proton energizers}}: a type of weapon on an [[Eastern Alliance destroyer]] {{OS|Experiment in Terra}}
* '''[[scanner]]''': term for a computer monitor and television set
* {{inlineref|tape coder}}: a voice recording device; [[Thane]] successfully passes off a [[hand mine]] as a device {{OS|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II}}
* {{inlineref|transmit tek}}: component of a {{TOS|Viper}}'s stabilizer system {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}<ref name="sheba-readout"/>
* {{inlineref|zonar modules}}: component of a {{TOS|Viper}}'s stabilizer system {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}<ref name="sheba-readout"/>
 
== Military Jargon ==
 
* "{{inlineref|flash inspection}}": an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}
* "{{inlineref|four-point peel off}}": a maneuver performed with a group of four {{TOS|Viper}}s {{OS|War of the Gods, Part I}}
* "{{inlineref|free flight jump}}": an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle {{OS|The Living Legend, Part II}}
* "{{inlineref|life station relief}}": sick call {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II}}
* "{{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]] {{OS|The Lost Warrior}}
* "{{inlineref|stand alert}}": Colonial term for "attention" {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}
* "{{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 {{OS|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 (TOS)|Cylons]] response to an order ([[TOS]]: "[[Saga of a Star World]]", et al.)
 
* '''"[[By your leave]]"''': a [[The Twelve Colonies of Man|Colonial]] response to an order ([[TOS]]: "[[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 {{OS|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 {{TOS|Baltar}} believes [[Specter]]'s false reports {{OS|The Young Lords}}.
 
* '''"For the glory of [[The Twelve Colonies of Man#Caprica|Caprica]]"''': saying used by the Colonials, particularly those from Caprica {{OS|The 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 {{OS|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I}}.
 
* '''"[[w:laser|laser]] in their side"''': analogue to "thorn in their side", {{TOS|Starbuck}} uses this term to describe how the actions of [[Megan]]'s surviving children have kept their father alive at Cylon hands {{OS|The Young Lords}}.
 
* '''"like a [[daggit]] on a sunspot"''': fidgety; {{TOS|Apollo}} points out that {{TOS|Starbuck}} acts this way during his pre-flight meeting on destroying the [[Cylon Mine|mines]] in the [[Straits of Madagon]] {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}.
 


=== Units of Measure ===
=== Units of Measure ===
Line 118: Line 154:
{| class="messagebox"
{| class="messagebox"
|-
|-
! BSG Unit
! Colonial Unit
! Earth Unit
! Earth Unit
|-
|-
Line 124: Line 160:
|-
|-
| width="99" | [[Yahren|yahren]]
| width="99" | [[Yahren|yahren]]
| width="99" | [[Wikipedia:Year|year]] &nbsp; [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
| width="99" | [[Wikipedia:Year|year]]<ref>Yahren ''may'' be only about 2/3 of a year; see [[Yahren#Note|note]].</ref>
|-
|-
| [[quatron]]
| [[quatron]]
Line 142: Line 178:
|-
|-
| [[centon]]  
| [[centon]]  
| minute &nbsp; [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
| 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]]
| [[micron]]
Line 148: Line 184:
|-
|-
| [[microcenton]]
| [[microcenton]]
| second [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
| second<ref>[[micron|Microcenton]] is likely another term for "micron"; {{TOS|Starbuck}} uses this term when he says "switching off [[Intercept 2|of you]] for a microcenton to scan ahead" {{OS|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 159: Line 195:
|-
|-
| [[sectar (unit)|sectar]]
| [[sectar (unit)|sectar]]
| [[Wikipedia:Miles|9 Million Miles (?)]] [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
| [[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 169: Line 205:
|-
|-
| [[metron]]
| [[metron]]
| [[Wikipedia:Metre|meter]] [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
| [[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 {{OS|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 190: Line 226:


====Table notes====
====Table notes====
# Yahren ''may'' be only about 2/3 of a year; see [[Yahren#Note|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.
{{reflist}}
#  [[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]])
# A [[Sectar (TOS)|sectar]] is an unknown unit of measure, measuring either distance or time.
# "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.


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 208: Line 241:
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:TOS]]
[[Category:TOS]]
{{TOS}}
 
[[de:Liste aller Begriffe (TOS)]]

Revision as of 00:53, 26 September 2021

Battlestar Wiki Story Arc Logo
For terms used in separate continuity and unproduced script sources, see: List of terms (TOS alternate).
 Battlestar Wiki Story Arc Logo


Part of the series on
Battlestar Galactica Terminology


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.

Acronyms[edit]

Honorifics[edit]

  • Count, a title of nobility (e.g. Count Iblis)
  • Lord, a title of nobility (e.g. Lord Baltar)
  • Sire, a title of nobility, typically ascribed to a civilian of the male gender (e.g. Sire Uri, Sire Solon)
  • Siress, a title of nobility, typically ascribed to a civilian of the female gender (e.g. Siress Tinia, Siress Blassie)

Colloquialisms[edit]

General Jargon[edit]

Technology[edit]

Military Jargon[edit]

Sayings[edit]

  • "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 (TOS: "The Young Lords").


Units of Measure[edit]

Colonial Unit Earth Unit
Time measurements
yahren year[2]
quatron month
secton week
time cycle day
centar hour
millicenton 10 minutes
centon minute[3]
micron second
microcenton second[4]
Distance measurements
parsec 90 Million Miles
hectar 9 Million Miles
sectar 9 Million Miles (?)[5]
metric kilometer
maxim 10 meters
metron meter[6]
Scientific measurements
ergon unknown
megon megaton
radion rad
volton voltage
wavelon wavelength

Table notes[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 As noted from Sheba's scanner readout in "The Living Legend, Part I". Refer to this image.
  2. ↑ Yahren may be only about 2/3 of a year; see note.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ 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")
  5. ↑ A sectar is an unknown unit of measure, measuring either distance or time.
  6. ↑ "Metron" is used in a deleted scene as Serina approaches the starboard landing bay (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II"); likely similar to a meter, which is known as a "metric" in other episodes.

See also[edit]

Original Series definition: a title of nobility (e.g. Count Iblis)

Original Series definition: a title of nobility (e.g. Lord Baltar)

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)

Original Series definition: a title of nobility, typically ascribed to a civilian of the female gender (e.g. Siress Tinia, Siress Blassie)

Original Series definition: buttocks (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")

Original Series definition: hell hole; used to describe the Red planet (TOS: "War of the Gods, Part I")

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")

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")

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")

Original Series definition: a liquid that extinguishes fires (TOS: "Fire in Space")

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").

Original Series definition: a life support bed used in Galactica's life center (TOS: "Fire in Space")

Original Series definition: a time keeping device, essentially a watch (TOS: "Saga of a Star World")

Original Series definition: a video recording; Sire Solon watched computapes of the triad match between Ortega and Starbuck (TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")

Original Series definition: a term for a robot, such as Muffit II (TOS: "Saga of a Star World")

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")

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")

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")

Original Series definition: form of ground transportation that can be hot-wired (TOS: "Fire in Space")

Original Series definition: interchangeable term for a computer monitor and television set (see: scanner)

Original Series definition: likely term referring to the trail of a turbo engine (TOS: "The Long Patrol")

Original Series definition: Warrior slang for their Viper's high-velocity booster engines, e.g. "hit your turbos"

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.

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")

Original Series definition: a star; the Nomen come from the "land of the mega sun" (TOS: "The Man with Nine Lives")

Original Series definition: a medical technician, such as a nurse or orderly (e.g. Cassiopeia)

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")

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")

Original Series definition: someone who oversees a triad game (TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")

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")

Original Series definition: basic food groups (TOS: "Saga of a Star World")

Re-imagined Series definition: initial skills training; can refer to basic military indoctrination, and arms and ground training (TRS: "Fragged"); and basic flight training (TRS: "Miniseries")

Original Series definition: another type of food

Original Series definition: the equivalent of saying "objection" in a Colonial Tribunal (TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")

Original Series definition: secure method of communication used by the Colonial Fleet (TOS: "The Lost Warrior")

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")

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")

Original Series definition: bedtime

Original Series definition: term for bed rest when one is recovering from an illness (TOS: "The Young Lords")

Original Series definition: a type of starship (TOS: "Saga of a Star World")

Original Series definition: a speed which is used by Eastern Alliance (TOS: "Greetings From Earth")

Original Series definition: internal communications phone aboard Galactica (TOS: "Fire in Space")

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").

Original Series definition: epithet used to describe Cylons (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")

Original Series definition: a toilet (TOS: "Baltar's Escape")

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")

Original Series definition: a shower (TOS: "Murder on the Rising Star")

Original Series definition: a travel agent (TOS: "Saga of a Star World")

Original Series definition: component of a Viper's stabilizer system (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")[1]

Original Series definition: component of a Viper's weapon system (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")[1]

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")

Original Series definition: component of a Viper's stabilizer system (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")[1]

Original Series definition: component of a Viper's stabilizer system (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I")[1]

Original Series definition: an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer (TOS: "Saga of a Star World")

Original Series definition: a maneuver performed with a group of four Vipers (TOS: "War of the Gods, Part I")

Original Series definition: an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part II")

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")

Original Series definition: Colonial term for "attention" (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I")

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")

Re-imagined Series definition: the brig

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")

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

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")

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")

Original Series definition: a unit of distance, the Earth measurement being equivalent to a kilometer

Retrieved from "https://en.battlestarwiki.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_terms_(TOS)&oldid=238873"