Where did the word "stargate" come from?

[Snowman37]

I am pretty sure I've heard the word stargate in a context that predates the 1994 film. However, I can't remember the source, only that it predated the movie. My question to you all is, do the term originate with the movie, or did it exist prior? I tried a google search, but all I got was page after page of results relating to the movie and TV franchise. I didn't get anything not related to the MGM saga, which I found really strange. Isn't the whole point of a search engine to have variety in results? Anyway, I hope ya'll can help me out. I am working on a story about a pair of stargates that allow two-way travel between Earth and an alien world. It's a plot device, not the driving force of the story. I'm just looking to see if stargate is a pre-existing word that the franchise popularized. If that's the case, I can use it. If it originated with the movie, I'll be looking for a different term. If anyone has any suggestions for a two-way portal that only connects to one other planet, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

[hedwig]

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/st...stargate10.htm

[Flyboy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_Project

[The Dude]

I'm sure the word can be used with impunity.

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/st...stargate10.htm

It's interesting that this article ties "stargate" with "Atlantis"; that's what made the first two SG series so fully developed in the sense of the foundation of myth upon which the stories are built. It gives them a depth missing from most other franchises. I still wonder whose great idea it was to strip all the mythological ties from SG:U. Brilliant idea, guys. Just brilliant. Wait- is brilliant the right word?

[Snowman37]

Thanks, guys, this was the help I needed. Before I run with the word "stargate," does anyone have a better term? As I said before, it's for a two-way portal that can only connect Earth with one alien world.

[SF_and_Coffee]

Why not just call it "the portal"? That certainly seems like it would fit.

[The Dude]

Why not just call it "the portal"? That certainly seems like it would fit.

Well it's now official. If we ever find ourselves in a Lost City in another galaxy filled with technology ancient and wonderous- SF_and_Coffee is not allowed to name anything.

[Pharaoh Hamenthotep]

Why not just call it "the portal"? That certainly seems like it would fit.

The big ring thingy?

[SF_and_Coffee]

Well it's now official. If we ever find ourselves in a Lost City in another galaxy filled with technology ancient and wonderous- SF_and_Coffee is not allowed to name anything.

Jeez, some people can't take a joke...

[SF_and_Coffee]

In all seriousness, though...

Transit portal
Transit tunnel
Wormhole
Transport tunnel
"the tunnel"
Quantum bridge
Dimensional bridge

[The Dude]

Thanks, guys, this was the help I needed. Before I run with the word "stargate," does anyone have a better term? As I said before, it's for a two-way portal that can only connect Earth with one alien world.

What is the context of the setting? What is the cultural context? Same as the Stargate series?

[hedwig]

Why not just call it "the portal"? That certainly seems like it would fit.

How about "The Doorway"?

[LtColCarter]

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/st...stargate10.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_Project

I found both of these interesting...

[Snowman37]

Why not just call it "the portal"? That certainly seems like it would fit.

That's what the main characters will call it in the first story. However, when they finally reach the people on the other side (in the sequel), I want to have a proper name for it. For example... someone from the 1800's would see a car and call it a horseless wagon. Today, we call it a car, truck, SUV, or whatever the vehicle may be.

In all seriousness, though...

Transit portal
Transit tunnel
Wormhole
Transport tunnel
"the tunnel"
Quantum bridge
Dimensional bridge

Here we go... Of these proposed, wormhole is the best didscription of what I have in mind. However, that describes what the device creates, not the device itself. Would you object to simply calling it the gate?

What is the context of the setting? What is the cultural context? Same as the Stargate series?

I don't want to give away too much, as it is an original story. Check your private messages. I don't want to post the concept publicly. Like I said, it's an original story.

[SF_and_Coffee]

In order to avoid any confusion or any hint of connection to the Stargate franchise, you might want to avoid calling it "the gate" because that phrase does get used a lot in Stargate. If you're looking for a name that the people on the other planet use, though, maybe you might base that on the appearance of whatever device or apparatus actually generates the wormhole? You probably don't want to make it look exactly like MGM's Stargates, so maybe not a ring or whatever, but something slightly different? And then the people on that other planet could have a name based on that appearance, and maybe your people from Earth might adopt that name and switch to calling it that from calling it the portal?

[Snowman37]

Well, I was going to run with the concept of a big "ring," but the similarity to MGM's stargates begins and ends there. How about that? Simply, the ring?

What is the context of the setting? What is the cultural context? Same as the Stargate series?

I managed to streamline my story concept to something I'm willing to post publicly.

The setting: An ancient city on the coast of Antarctica. It is far more technologically advanced than anything ever before encountered. It makes the future of Star Trek and Stargate's Ancients look dated.
Cultural context: Built and abandoned by extra-terrestrials, but why did they leave?

Similarities to Stargate: Atlantis: An ancient city in Antarctica, capable of space flight.
Differences: Built by aliens, not ancient humans. The structure is entirely different from that featured in SGA. Rather than on the mainland, the city is on the coast. Unlike SGA, the city was left behind on Earth rather than relocated. Instead of perfectly preserved; it is in ruins, flooded, and frozen.

[SF_and_Coffee]

I'd still be nervous about it's being a ring or being called that, but that's just me. Cool concept overall, though. But I'm still thinking that with everything, you're just a bit close to the Antarctic gate.

[fems]

Sounds like a Stargate ripoff to me. Don't know why anyone would want to read it when you have such an awesome franchise (three shows, novels and even fanfiction).

[MercySG1/A]

It's just that the stargate was such an awesome idea, and much more convenient than ships! Who knows, maybe some day it will become a sci fi mainstream like space ships. I say go Snowman37! Maybe you shouldn't go exactly with a giant fixed ring, but that's up to you. Your story, not mine.

[Snowman37]

I'd still be nervous about it's being a ring or being called that, but that's just me. Cool concept overall, though. But I'm still thinking that with everything, you're just a bit close to the Antarctic gate.

Thanks for the feedback. By too close to the Antarctic gate, I presume you mean overall concept? I was working on this story today, and I was thinking... it would be more practical, and more interesting, for the alien city to be a traditional city, not one capable of flight. As pointed out, too similar to SGA. Besides, my story is part of a larger saga which features starships the size of cities, some of which would dwarf Atlantis and Wraith hives. If starships can be that big, who needs a cityship? The vast ships basically are cityships due to sheer size.

Sounds like a Stargate ripoff to me. Don't know why anyone would want to read it when you have such an awesome franchise (three shows, novels and even fanfiction).

I appreciate your honesty. Brutal, but honest, and I appreciate. Do you have any input on how to differ enough to stand apart? As for why anyone would read it, as I said, the "gate" is not the driving force of the story, it is merely a plot device. The driving force of the story is the frozen alien city and the quest for answers. Specifically, the characters are looking for those who built the city. They believe that the long-gone aliens have the means to find their lost friend. The book will end with their departure through the portal, gate, whatever you want to call it. "To Be Continued..."

It's just that the stargate was such an awesome idea, and much more convenient than ships! Who knows, maybe some day it will become a sci fi mainstream like space ships. I say go Snowman37! Maybe you shouldn't go exactly with a giant fixed ring, but that's up to you. Your story, not mine.

That's what I am aiming for. The civilization who built the alien city on Earth thousands of years ago can travel via wormhole as easy as we can ride bicycles. It's considered a very common place technology in their society. That said, it'll be depicted as something no other space faring society has been able to master.