Battlestar Galactica: Glossary
Actual
Term used to refer to the commanding officer of a vessel during radio communications. One would ask to speak to “Galactica actual” to converse directly with its commander, who would identify himself or herself by saying, ”This is Galactica actual.“
Battlestar Galactica
One of the original twelve Battlestars, Galactica began its service during the Cylon War. Although its status was subsequently eclipsed by modern and more sophisticated Battlestars, the Galactica remained an iconic ship in the years leading to the Cylon’s surprise attack on the Twelve Colonies of Kobol.
Cylon Centurion
Metallic variety of Cylon that later evolved into the more advanced, human-looking variant. Also known as “chrome-jobs” and “toasters.”
Boxed
Cylon term for the cold storage of Cylon memories, usually employed when a reborn Cylon is unable or unwilling to integrate back into Cylon society.
Dradis
Colonial technology roughly equivalent of radar on Earth.
Frak
A popular expletive used by the Colonials. The Battlestar Galactica equivalent of Earth’s “F-Word.”
Human-Cylon Hybrid
Offspring of Helo and Sharon. Mastering biological reproduction is a major objective of the Cylons.
“Krypter, Krypter, Krypter”
A Colonial distress signal, which is equivalent of Earth’s modern-day “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
Pyramid
Sport popular throughout the Twelve Colonies. Resembles a combination of basketball and rugby.
Quorum of Twelve, the
Political body with representatives from each of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol.
Raptor
A Colonial multipurpose spacecraft commonly used for reconnaissance missions. It is the eyes and ears of the Colonial Fleet and plays a key role in coordinating the Viper attacks against hostile forces.
Sit-Rep
Shortened form of the term “situation report.”
Tylium
Mineral that can be refined into a vital fuel and power source for space vessels. In the season one episode “The Hand of God,” Apollo leads a Viper squadron against a Cylon-controlled tylium refinery.
Viper
The Colonial’s primary attack vehicle. There are various models of Viper, including the older Mark II from the first Cylon War and the state-of-the-art Mark VII.
