Does not compute

[Jesse Sheidlower]

On Sat, Sep 15, 2001 at 10:58:16AM -0400, Douglas G. Wilson wrote:
> The odd 'ergative' declaration "[Expression X] does not compute" (spoken by
> a computer) must have appeared in some old "Star Trek" program or some old
> science-fiction movie, I guess. I suppose it means roughly "[Expression X]
> cannot be parsed" or "[Expression X] is invalid". It is now used like "...
> doesn't make sense" or so, I think.
>
> Is there any information on the origin of this clumsy declaration?

The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang says that
it was introduced as a catchphrase by the television show _My Living
Doll_ in 1964.

Jesse Sheidlower
OED