What phrase do Vulcans say when giving their salute?

Vulcans say “Live long and prosper” when giving their famous salute. The phrase is a blessing wishing someone a long life and continued success, and it is commonly abbreviated as LLAP by Star Trek fans.

The salute and its accompanying words first appeared together in “Amok Time,” the 1967 second-season premiere of Star Trek: The Original Series. Theodore Sturgeon wrote the phrase, while Leonard Nimoy helped create the hand gesture for Spock and the Vulcan people.

Nimoy later explained that he drew inspiration from the Jewish priestly blessing he had seen as a child. The gesture’s separated fingers and extended thumb form a distinctive pose that many people find difficult to reproduce without practice.

A common mix-up is reversing the greeting with its reply. “Peace and long life” is the less familiar response, while “Live long and prosper” is the phrase most associated with the salute. The salute itself later became a widely recognized symbol of Star Trek and science-fiction fandom.