h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Avert your eyes now if rude words offend you.

This is sort of a trivia contest; I want to see if there's a Doug Adams fan out there who recognizes this word and can place it into context!

The word is...

Phartiphukbartz

I could be wrong, but I think this is one of the names he came up with on the way to 'Slartibartfast'. I read somewhere that he wanted a name that sounded rude, but wasn't un-broadcastable. I thought the name he started with was 'Phartiphukballz', but it's a long time since I read the article (years, in fact).

Ding ding ding we have a winner. According to the radio scripts (as I recall them) it was phartiphukbartz, but of course Adams himself might not remember precisely (or care either way)

I knew that!

It just took me a while to get to this question.

Back in the early 80's Mr. Adams was doing a book tour and appeared at MIT. The Kresge Auditorium is huge, and the place was packed. My best friend was sooooo jealous that I got to go. (My dad worked at MIT, so that's how I got tickets.) He told us about the origins of poor Slartibartfast's name, and it has been one of my absolute favorite bits of trivia ever. Well, that and the absolutely true story about the war over the packet of biscuits, which he later incorporated into one of the Dirk Gentley books.

So do I get anything, Mr Gargleblap? And 8x10 color glossie of your toenails, perhaps? Heh.

YES. Phart, iphukbartz, but all i want is HOMER.@