"E Chu Ta!" A Guide To 'Star Wars' Swear Words

Regardless of what anyone says, some situations just warrant a good swear word. We've all had a moment where there is simply nothing else to say, and it turns out the characters of Star Wars feel the exact same way.

Along with the vast amount of different planets and races introduced throughout the franchise's impressive 40+ year run, we've also heard different languages, and it was only a matter of time before one or many fans combed through them all to discover the naughty words lurking within. It may surprise you to know some of them have even been used onscreen. The reason for this is, many of the words come from the Huttese language spoken by the Hutts, which just happens to be the most understood and used throughout the galaxy.

With that in mind, today we are going to look at some of the various profanities which exist within the galaxy far, far away.

Starting us off, is a list of substitutes used in place of the F-word:

Farkled - This is a word used as an adjective. In English, people often use the F-word to describe something being broken or destroyed, or someone being "screwed" over. In the context of the Star Wars universe, an example of using this word could be "the ship's hyperdrive is farkled" or "we got farkled in that deal."

Kriff/kriffing - First appearing in the Hand of Thrawn duology by Timothy Zahn, context would suggest it's not as strong a curse word as the F-word. However, its arrangement is very close to an English substitute, "fricking."

Krong - This swear word comes from the Outer Rim pirates. It doesn't seem to have adjectival form, serving more as a verb in sentences like "don't krong this up".

Snark/snarking - Another substitute for the F-word, used by bounty hunters during the Legacy Era. Despite the similarities, it apparently has no connecton to the English word "snarky," used to describe someone's tone.

Kark/karking - This word comes from the Huttese language.

Our next list covers substitutes for the S-word:

Druk - Appearing in phrases such as "a druk-load of problems," this is an alien word literally meaning excrement.

Dwang - Appearing in Republic Commando: Triple Zero by Karen Traviss, this euphemism for excrement is used by clone troopers during the events of the Clone War.

Shab - This word appears in Republic Commandos: Order 66, also by Karen Traviss, and means excrement to the people of Mandalore.

Holy Sith - Whilst I haven't found any uses of this within the Star Wars universe, it's a play on the phrase "holy S-word" that has led to many fans using it in everyday conversation. It's one I know I've actually used a few times in humor, so it had to be included because it should be used more.

List number three, covers basic insults from the Star Wars universe:

Bantha poodoo - This is a Huttese phrase basically meaning "Bantha fodder," and it first appears in Return of the Jedi. Jabba the Hutt is the character to speak the phrase as an insult. Interestingly, whilst many believe the phrase to be similar to the English "dead meat," the Expanded Universe confirms that it relates to the food banthas (the large mammoth like creatures used by Sand People) eat, which is described as horrible and smells disgusting.

E chu ta - Our title phrase is another Huttese expression, first appearing in The Empire Strikes Back. It doesn't really have a defined meaning, but when it's spoken onscreen, C-3PO exclaims "How rude" as a reply. So one can take it to mean something not very polite. It is commonly used in Star Wars: Legacy and does appear to be quite rude and insulting.

Hutt-spawn - This is a phrase used to insult everyone except the Hutts, as I'm sure would seem pretty obvious. With the Hutts famous for looking like big, overweight slugs, it's hard to imagine it being meant as a term of endearment. The phrase appears in Knights of the Old Republic.

Laserbrain - Easily a well recognized and favorite insult of many, this phrase is used by Princess Leia in The Empire Strikes Back and is directed at Han Solo. It implies the person is stupid or delusional, based on her line, "I don't know where you get your delusions, laserbrain." Blaster-brained is also a variation of the phrase.

Lurdo - Regarded as a childish insult, this comes from the Ewok race whom me meet in Return of the Jedi. The phrase is used to describe someone as a "dummy" and appears in the animated series Ewoks.

Nerf herder - This is one of my personal favorites and is even more recognized than the aforementioned laserbrain. Like laserbrain, this, too, is said by Leia to Han Solo in one of her many rants at him. The term refers to shepherds who raised nerfs (animals similar to buffalo on Leia's home planet Alderaan) and is classed as an insult due to them known for being scruffy-looking and smelly.

Schutta - This word comes from the world of Ryloth, inhabited by the Twi'leks. The term is said to be, roughly, the equivalent to the English word "slut," so definitely not a word to be used lightly. It is derived from a weasel-like creature which also lives on the planet Ryloth.

Sculag - A term used to describe someone who is weak-minded. It comes from the Chiss race and is used in Legacy of the Force: Inferno, by Troy Denning.

Sleemo - A word used many times throughout The Phantom Menace, it means pretty much what it sounds like in English, "slimeball." This, too, comes from the Huttese language.

Vong - This comes from stories now relegated to Legends and is an extremely grave insult amongst the Yuuzhan Vong. To say it to someone is to imply they have lost favor with Yun-Yuuzhan, the creator god.

Our last list on today's article covers some general expletives:

Chuba (sometimes spelled Chubba) - Again comes from the Huttese language and commonly means "you" or "your." It can be used as a swear word, however, mostly when a character is surprised, for example, "What the chubba was that?" and can also imply someone is untrustworthy.

Frizz/frizzled - First appearing in Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, this was actually a common swear word used by smugglers during the Old Republic.

Sithspit - A curse used commonly throughout the entre Star Wars universe timeline and not specific to any one race or character. It is used to express anger, surprise, and other strong emotions, which makes sense with "Sith" in the word. The word originated on Corellia.

Vape/vaping - Not to be confused with the electronic cigarette, this is a very mild swear equivalent to "damn." It originated on Alderaan.

So there you have it, a bunch of new swear words to add to your vocabulary which very few people are likely to know. Next time you're in the company of someone annoying you, you can drop one of these and they won't be any the wiser. If they do know, you might just find yourself farkled.

Until next time!

Written By Jordan McGlinchey

Source(s): LiveAbout

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