CLANKER

In tech circles, clanker is a slang label for anything from a physical delivery robot and a humanoid machine to a sophisticated Large Language Model (LLM) like a chatbot or an AI image generator. It essentially targets any non-human, automated technology that performs tasks once done by people.

The origin of clanker is onomatopoeic, referencing the sound a low-quality, metallic robot might make. Originally it referred to something that "clanks" (makes a metallic noise). The term was popularized by the Star Wars movie franchise (specifically The Clone Wars), where it was used as a dismissive nickname for battle droids. By late 2024, clanker had been adopted as slang for AI bots, automation systems, or even generic robots — often used when someone is annoyed at AI taking human jobs, performing poorly, or being impersonal.

The word clanker is a noun used as slang in tech-related contexts. A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. It functions as a subject, object, or complement in sentences. slang is casual language made up of words, phrases, and expressions that are usually tied to specific situations or certain groups of people. It is the unofficial vocabulary that develops naturally within communities - whether that's your friend group, online spaces, or specific subcultures (in this case, tech).