Speaking of Star Trek, from Life in the USA: The Complete Guide for Immigrants and Americans

Life in the USA
American Culture
Television

Speaking of Star Trek
The Star Trek television series from the 1960s has become such an ingrained part of American speech, values, and sensibilities that a newcomer to the United States would do well to become familiar with the look, the feel and even the vocabulary of the show.

When Americans say, “Beam me up, Scotty,” they indicate dissatisfaction with a present situation and a desire to leave it.
“It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it” connotes, humorously or not, a phenomenon worth noting.
“To boldly go where no man has gone before” refers, seriously or not, to breaking new ground or having new experiences in life.

Only a total immersion in Star Trek programming can fully bring across the meaning of these and many other references.

The original Star Trek, and the motion pictures and television sequels it spawned, command a huge following, including annual conventions of “Trekkies,” sales of memorabilia, and every possible variety of book, magazine, audio and video.

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