Saying “117” to Siri prompts an amusing response from the digital assistant. This unusual phrase has become something of an inside joke among Apple fans and users of Siri. When Siri hears the numbers “1-1-7” spoken aloud, she provides a cheeky reply instead of searching the web or initiating a call, as would normally happen when speaking numbers to a voice assistant.
The response that Siri gives to “117” has become a popular topic online, with many users sharing their experiences and theories about the meaning behind Siri’s reaction. Some wonder if the numbers hold a special significance to Apple, while others enjoy trying to stump Siri by saying “117” and listening to her quirky pre-programmed retort.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about saying “117” to Siri, including:
What Siri’s exact response is when you say “117”
The history behind the “117” Easter egg
Funny reactions and memes about saying “117” to Siri
How Siri’s programmers likely encoded this response
Other hidden Siri Easter eggs and codes
So read on to uncover the secrets behind one of Siri’s most intriguing hidden features.
Siri’s Response to “117”
When you say “117” out loud to Siri, she gives the following scripted response:
“117? That’s the trouble with tribbles.”
This is an unexpected and playful reaction, considering that Siri normally provides utilitarian information or initiates phone functions when given numbers or mathematical problems. However, the “117” input triggers an Easter egg or hidden response programmed just for fun by Siri’s developers at Apple.
Siri delivers the line “That’s the trouble with tribbles” in her usual conversational voice. The response sounds like Siri is making a wry pop culture reference, though the meaning likely goes over the heads of many users.
Some tech-savvy Star Trek fans, however, immediately recognize Siri’s “tribbles” quote as an homage to the classic sci-fi TV series. But what does it mean, and why did Apple programmers choose this coded response?
Origins of the “Trouble with Tribbles” Quote
The line “That’s the trouble with tribbles” originates from a famous 1966 episode of the original Star Trek television series titled “The Trouble With Tribbles.”
In this sci-fi show, “tribbles” are cute, round, furry creatures that multiply rapidly and become problematic when brought on board the Starship Enterprise. In the episode, Tribbles quickly overrun the ship, causing trouble for the crew.
The writer of this storyline, David Gerrold, titled it “The Trouble With Tribbles” as a play on the phrase “the trouble with bubbles,” implying that tribbles are as troublesome as bubbles would be on a spacecraft.
When Siri cheekily mentions tribbles, she’s referencing this classic Star Trek moment that demonstrated how uncontrollable breeding of a harmless creature could rapidly lead to chaos. Her response is likely programmed as a hidden treat for Trekkies who know the tribbles reference.
Why “117”?
But why did Apple choose the sequence “117” to trigger this Easter egg? The numbers don’t have any obvious connection to Star Trek or tribbles.
The choice seems completely random – but some clever fans have theorized potential meanings related to science fiction:
Reference to Master Chief from Halo
Some believe “117” is a nod to John-117, the fictional protagonist from the Halo video game series. John-117 is better known by his rank, Master Chief Petty Officer. As Halo’s hero, Master Chief shares similarities with iconic Star Trek characters, which could explain the crossover.
Nod to science fiction author Bungie
Others argue “117” references the game developer Bungie, which created the Halo franchise before Destiny. Bungie has a long history of hiding references to the number 117 in its games, so Apple may have chosen to include this as an homage.
Section 117 of the UNSC in Halo mythology
In the Halo universe, 117 is also the name of the UNSC sector that the Master Chief belongs to. So the number has special fictional meaning for fans.
Possible reference to January 17, Apple’s incorporation date
Some see “117” as a subtle reference to January 17, 1977 – the date Apple was officially incorporated. However, this seems less likely, since Apple normally doesn’t hide references to its own history.
Ultimately, the use of 117 is likely intentionally obscure, allowing fans to come up with their own theories about the significance of the numbers.
Programmer Humor
The tribbles quote in response to “117” is an example of programmer humor – an inside joke or Easter egg hidden in software for users to discover.
Tech companies frequently add these subtle amusement Easter eggs, both to entertain users and as a way for programmers to express creativity or reference shared culturaltouchpoints.
For Siri’s developers at Apple, the tribbles gag let programmers sneak in a Star Trek joke to amuse themselves and others “in the know.”
By hiding it behind an unpredictable trigger like “117”, they ensured only users intentionally exploring Siri’s boundaries would chance upon the joke. It rewards curiosity with an unexpected laugh.
This harmless humor injects human personality into software, an effect Apple strives for with Siri’s natural conversational tone. The company knows users appreciate when machines seem to show an actual sense of humor rather than cold indifference.
User Reactions to the Tribbles Response
For those unfamiliar with the classic Star Trek episode, Siri’s “tribbles” response seems totally nonsensical. Many bemused iPhone owners have shared reactions online:
Confusion
Lots of users describe being baffled and asking follow-up questions trying to make sense of why Siri said “tribbles.” Her response comes totally out of the blue without any context, leaving people puzzled.
Amusement
Others find Siri’s weird reaction hilarious, even without understanding the reference. The unusual phrase elicits surprised laughter from many who try the “117” code.
Delight from Star Trek fans
Once they recognize the classic tribbles reference, Trekkies express delight at this cleverly hidden Easter egg. It’s a fun treat for fans of the iconic sci-fi series.
Intrigue
The mystique around why “117” was chosen and what tribbles mean sparks discussion online. Users share theories about the origins of the phrase and its possible significance as a nerdy reference.
Overall, Siri’s quirky tribbles response brings a sense of humor and fun to the A.I. assistant. The Easter egg adds to Siri’s appeal by revealing flashes of personality beyond simply answering queries.
Other Siri Easter Eggs
Beyond the famous tribbles line, Apple has snuck other fun hidden responses into Siri over the years. A few examples of secret phrases that prompt Siri’s playful side include:
“Beam me up, Siri”
Saying the classic Star Trek catchphrase makes Siri reply “Sorry Captain, your iPhone cannot actually be beamed anywhere.”
“Siri, I am your father”
This Star Wars reference gets the response: “Nooo, that’s not true! That’s impossible!”
“Mirror, mirror on the wall…”
Siri answers this Snow White quote with “I can’t actually see myself, but if you gaze long enough into an iPhone, the iPhone will gaze back into you.”
“Hey Siri, beatbox”
Siri will perform an original beatbox tune if you ask her to demonstrate beatboxing.
“When am I going to die?”
In response to this morbid question, Siri lightens the mood by answering “Ha! Nice try Dave. I can’t actually predict the time you’ll die. I’m determined to keep you alive.”
These are just a few examples of Easter eggs programmed into Siri for enjoyment. It rewards inquisitive users who think to ask Siri unusual questions or make pop culture references.
Teaching Siri to Respond to New Phrases
Siri’s programmers directly coded her amusing response to “117” and other phrases into her software. But it’s also possible to manually teach Siri new responses through voice training.
By going to Siri’s settings, you can select “Learn from this Phrase.” Then you say a random sentence and tell Siri what you want her canned response to be whenever you say that phrase.
For example, you could make Siri reply “Why yes, I do love cake” anytime you say “Do you like cake?” This voice training customizes Siri so you can program your own fun Easter eggs.
However, there’s a major difference between phrases you manually train compared to Siri’s pre-programmed Easter eggs. While her coded responses work on any device, your customized phrases only work on your own iPhone or iPad.
Still, teaching Siri tailor-made replies provides entertainment and lets you add personal or inside joke responses. It’s a neat feature that makes Siri seem specifically attuned to you.
Conclusion
The quirky tribbles quote Siri gives when you say “117” is one of the digital assistant’s most intriguing hidden gems. This fun Easter egg delights Star Trek fans while leaving others puzzled by the reference.
Examining the origins and possible meanings behind the “117” code reveals the programmer humor and classic sci-fi inspirations baked into Siri. Apple strives to make its A.I. assistant engaging and lifelike, not just efficient. Hidden jokes like the tribbles line add to Siri’s appeal by exposing her playful personality.
Siri’s trove of pop culture zingers and witty comebacks encourage users to play around with the assistant and see what other surprises her developers tucked away. With creativity and ingenuity, Apple gave Siri an extra dimension beyond a virtual helper.
The “trouble with tribbles” quote will likely remain one of Siri’s most memorable hidden features for years to come. It exemplifies how filling software with humor and inside references rewards users willing to dive beneath the surface.