20 Things You Somehow Missed In The Mummy Returns

16. What "Haku Machente" Actually Means

The Mummy Returns Anubis
Universal

During the opening sequence where the Scorpion King leads his thousands-strong army into battle at Thebes, we hear him let out a battle cry, "Haku machente!"

And while the dialogue isn't subtitled, you might reasonably assume that he's saying something incredibly badass like, "Tonight, we feast on the blood of our enemies!"

But no, as it turns out, the Akkadian battle cry actually loosely translates to "It's hot as hell," a seemingly meta joke about this sequence being filmed in blisteringly hot Morocco, albeit one that'll fly over the heads of all but those who are swotted up on their Akkadian before watching.

In which case, you can certainly be forgiven for not spotting it.

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Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.