Skip to main content

The Origin of “Do Not Want”

A factoid in honor of Star Wars day, which is today (‘May the Fourth be with you’): The Internet memelet ‘do not want’ has its origins in a Chinese bootleg version of Star Wars Episode III. Not LOLcats.

Recommended Videos

When used as an interjection, No! is often said as 不要 (literally, “do not want” or “do not”). The now-infamous bootleg version of Star Wars Episode III, poorly translated from Chinese to English, translated Darth Vader’s cry of “Noooooooo” (不要) as “Do not want”; this translation error became an internet meme.

(Wikipedia via Eric Spiegelman via Nick Douglas)

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Filed Under:

Follow The Mary Sue: