
Color and cut-out page from
The Mork Book of Orkian Fun
Nanu nanu (pronounced NAH-noo NAH-noo), also variously spelled Na-nu Na-nu, Na-No Na-No, and Nanoo Nanoo, is the typical Orkan greeting. Its usage may be similar to the Hawaiian word "aloha," which may be used as both a greeting and a farewell, since Mork also uses the phrase in his weekly mental reports to Orson.
When meeting new people, the phrase is paired with a Vulcan-style handshake; when addressing another Orkan, it's combined with a twist of their interchangeable ears.
The official spelling of the phrase is "Na-No, Na-No" as it appeared in the majority of the original merchandising, and this is also how Pam Dawber pronounced it in Mork Goes Public. Veering slightly off-script, Robin Williams changed the pronunciation, which led to the variety of spellings.
Orkan Handshake[]
The proper procedure for the accompanying Orkan handshake is detailed in The Official Mork & Mindy Scrapbook.
- Ensure each person has a hand to shake (preferably each hand should have five fingers).
- Extend hand. Separate fingers so that the index and middle fingers are together and the ring and little fingers are together.
- Reach hand out (as if to touch); stop when longest fingers are 1/8" apart. Flex hand muscles.
- The Female should rotate her hand counter-clockwise until her palm is parallel to the ground. With two females, the older will rotate her hand; with two males, the male with more chest hair will rotate his hand.
- Interlock fingers. Hold for at least 4 seconds and no more than 2 days.
- Relax hands, lower arms to side. Feel free to move on and na-no, na-no someone else.