The Ewoks first appeared in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in 1983, as the small, bear-like inhabitants of the forest moon of Endor who help the Rebels against the Empire. Their distinctive chattering language, made from squeaks, yips and coos, became one of the film's most recognisable creature sounds. Long after the film, clips of Ewok noises spread through Star Wars fan edits, reaction videos and soundboards, where the sound is now used as shorthand for something small, cute and unexpectedly brave.