Original artwork, not a still
Misattributed to Spock
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it.
— Star Trek: The Original Series • 1966
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The line borrows Spock's cool, clipped way of describing the unfamiliar and gives it a sing-song British edge, and the joke is that it sounds more like Star Trek than anything the show said. Because the song reached the top of the charts, the phrase escaped its parody and entered ordinary speech as shorthand for something alien, strange or not quite right. It is a textbook misquote that outlived its source.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Star Trek: The Original SeriesShow the scene
This line was never said on screen. It comes from "Star Trekkin'", a comic single by the British novelty group The Firm, released in May 1987, which hit number one in the UK for two weeks. The song strings together catchphrases from the original series with deliberately silly twists, sung in cartoon voices for Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty. Spock's voice, performed by band member Dev Douglas, gets this line. The wording was invented by the songwriters, yet so many people heard it that it is now widely remembered as a real quote from Star Trek.
Sources (3)
- Wikipedia, "Star Trekkin'"Lead, 'Origin and recording' and 'Release' sectionsReference checked
- Memory Alpha, Star Trek parodies and pop culture references (music)The Firm sectionReference checked
- Star Trek transcripts, original series (chakoteya.net)Searched all original-series episode transcripts and the first five filmsReference checked
Context reviewed
