Dictionary

Kobayashi Maru en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈkoʊbɑjɑʃi məˈruː/
• (US) audio

Etymology

From the fictional Kobayashi Maru test, first introduced in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, a training exercise in which Starfleet cadets face an intentionally unwinnable scenario as a test of character. The test involves the rescue of an eponymous vessel, named by Star Trek II screenwriter Jack B. Sowards after his neighbours, from the Japanese family name Kobayashi and maru (a suffix of Japanese ship names).

Meanings

1. (informal) A scenario with no positive or favourable outcome; a no-win situation.
   • Christmas is the Kobayashi Maru of holidays. It is unwinnable. 2010, April Winchell, Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF, page 121:
   • Martin said, “Gwen, do you understand that there’s no right answer to that? You've asked me the Kobayashi Maru of questions. There’s no possible way to answer that won't make you mad.” 2015, Scott Meyer, An Unwelcome Quest, page 265:
   • “You might not be able to win,” I said. “It may be the Kobayashi Maru of seating arrangements.” 2016, Hillary Manton Lodge, Together at the Table, page 81:

Forms

wikipedia: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan · wikipedia: Kobayashi Maru · wikipedia: Jack B. Sowards · wikipedia: Starfleet