What does “clanker” mean?
“Clanker” is a derogatory slang term that refers to robots and AI. “Clanker” is an insulting slur for robots, generative AI systems like ChatGPT, and other AI technology. It’s popular on TikTok, Reddit, X/Twitter, and other online spaces, and is primarily used to make fun of, belittle, or demean robots and AI. People also use it in memes and commentaries about the rise of AI technology and how it might impact humanity. People commonly refer to making fun of or discriminating against robots and AI as robophobia or robot racism.
Origins and Spread of “Clanker”
“Clanker” comes from slang used in the Star Wars universe. In the Star Wars universe, “clanker” is a derogatory slur used to refer to droids and other robots. It comes from the clanking sound droids make when their hard, metal bodies move. The term was first used in the video game Star Wars: Republic Commando in 2005 and became a part of the official canon when it was used in an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars in 2008.
“Clanker” gained popularity in the 2010s on Star Wars subreddits. The subreddit r/PrequelMemes is often credited with popularizing “clanker” as a slur for droids among the Star Wars fandom. Starting in the 2010s, people began sharing memes of characters dismissing or discriminating against droids by calling them “clankers.” It also became a meme to refer to “clanker” as the “c-word” to mock how people mention slurs in real life.
“Clanker” became a mainstream slur for robots/AI in 2025. “Clanker” jumped outside of the Star Wars fandom and gained popularity on TikTok in the summer of 2025. Multiple videos went viral of users humorously shouting “clanker” at robots and AI technology they encountered in real life, like food delivery bots and Waymo cars. POV memes of users imagining a distant future where people discriminate against robots and AI gained popularity, too. For instance, a popular meme on TikTok is users reacting to their future child bringing home their robot/AI significant other and reacting negatively to their relationship. Another popular TikTok meme is users imagining a future where they’re defending themselves for using “clanker” or saying microaggressions to robots/AI.
Why is saying “clanker” popular?
“Clanker” is seen as a response to the spread of AI. AI is a rapidly growing technology that’s currently changing how we work and live. While it has the potential to be beneficial, many people (especially Gen Z) are concerned about it replacing them and taking away job opportunities. So, creating a slur for AI/robots and making memes about it is a way to voice their frustration and anxiety, and push back at the idea that technology can replace them. Historically, slurs have been used to dehumanize and disempower groups of people based on their race, nationality, gender, and sexual orientation. This usually follows a power dynamic, with people in power using slurs to keep those who aren’t in power oppressed. Likewise, calling AI/robots “clanker” is meant to degrade and demean them so humans stay in power. While slurs against humans aren’t tolerated today (usually…), “clanker” is seen as okay because humans perceive themselves as the lower group in danger of being taken over. Plus, robots/AI aren’t humans.
Concerns and Controversy about “Clanker”
Using slurs to refer to AI/robots may actually humanize them. Using a slur creates an “us vs. them” mindset among groups of people, with one group in power (in-group) and the other lacking it (out-group). Because of this dynamic, many linguists argue that “clanker” actually gives AI/robots human traits and raises them to our level. In other words, because AI/robots can be discriminated against, they’re actually more like humans. So, the desire to dehumanize AI/robots over the worry that they’re becoming too human and can replace us might ironically make them more human.
Some people believe “clanker” perpetuates real racism and discrimination. “Clanker” is meant to mimic the real-world slurs that are still used against groups of people, especially since it’s commonly referred to as the “c word,” which itself can be seen as problematic. So, lots of people are concerned that others are taking the “clanker” joke too far. There’s worry that people are taking advantage of the fact that they can use a “socially acceptable” slur because they can’t say the real offensive terms they wish they could. So, this can potentially perpetuate racist and discriminatory behavior. While lots of people might use the term light-heartedly, “clanker” does have the potential to be problematic, especially if people start using it in place of slurs that affect real people. In the case that robots/AI do become integrated into human society, some people believe there could be real consequences for people who used slurs like “clanker” against them.
Related Slang Terms
There are several other offensive terms for robots and AI. While “clanker” is certainly the most popular way to derogatorily refer to robots and AI, there are plenty of other slurs for these technologies. Some of these come from popular sci-fi media, like Battlestar Galactica and Blade Runner, while others have become popular through memes. For instance, you might see people using: Toaster Wireback Tin-skinned Silver Rust bucket Chrome jobs Piece of scrap Cogsucker
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