Much of modern pop culture revolves around movies and television shows that the majority of people seem to enjoy. As the popularity of these movies and shows grows, some fun or quirky phrases from them are adopted by the Internet to be used as memes, put on merchandise, or as a way of uniting fans. The phrase “bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica” is one of those phrases. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase “bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica” is a specific reference to the show The Office in which one character imitates another. This phrase, typically, is used as a reference to this show or to prove to someone else that you are a fan of the show, but because of its popularity has grown a life of its own. If you are looking for a way to mimic or imitate someone you know, this phrase is an apt way to go about it.
The phrase can also be used to refer to someone who is particularly nerdy, or whose interests are seen as being nerdy or dorky. Someone may say “bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica” to someone else as a response to something geeky that they just said. Though it is not used as common in this way, the phrase adopted this meaning after becoming so popular on the Internet that it grew to have this new meaning. More information can be found in the video (here).
Example Usage
“You like Dungeons and Dragons? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.”
“You’re twenty three and you play Minecraft? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.”
“Have I seen The Office? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.”
“I’m a huge fan of John Krasinski! Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.”
“You’re part of the robotics club at our school? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.”
Origin
The Office is a popular television show that ran from the years 2005 to 2013, had nine seasons, and over two hundred episodes. It skyrocketed the acting careers of now well-known names like Steve Carell and John Krasinski. In one of the episodes, Krasinski (who plays the character Jim Halpert) imitates the language and mannerisms of coworker Dwight Schrute (played by Rainn Wilson). While doing so, Halpert says “bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica” because these are things Dwight likes and talks about often.
This episode specifically aired in 2007, and the phrase was an immediate hit with fans. It is one of the most well-known phrases from the show, and can be seen on countless shirts, posters, mugs, and other kinds of merchandise that are sold on a number of online retail sites, like Amazon and Etsy.
Phrases Similar to Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica
- Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both.
- I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.
- The worst thing about prison was the dementors.
- Nerdy/geeky/dorky/etc.
Phrases Opposite to Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica
- Lowbrow
- Anti-intellectual/unintelligent
- Philistine
What is the Correct Saying?
- “Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica” is itself the correct saying.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica
This phrase is either used as a reference to unite fans of The Office, or it is used to refer to how nerdy someone is. Using the phrase any other way would be incorrect. Some ways that “bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica” is used incorrectly are:
- Have I seen Friends? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
- Oh, you play sports? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
- Wow, you’re the captain of your football team? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
- I love Everybody Hates Chris! Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica!
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica
- Jim Halpert is so funny. Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
- You’re the head of the school’s math team? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
- I was so sad when The Office Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
- You’ve been on the chess team all three years you’ve been at this school? Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.