The Elites, or Sangheili, are the main Covenant alien enemies introduced in Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001. Their original English dialogue was recorded and played backwards, creating the famous alien language and the 'wort wort wort' line fans still quote. Because that delivery sounded both menacing in combat and unintentionally funny out of context, short Elite voice clips became a staple of Halo machinima, meme edits and soundboards, and players still use them as a nostalgic reaction to mistakes and surprise moments.