What does the phrase "KNIGHT RIDER" really mean?

[Keon2005]

Hi, has anyonereally thought about why the producers named the show "Knight Rider" or what the phrase means.

[Daemonicus666]

Maybe its because of the name of Michael's character and the foundation and the fact he rides around in a car. Im not sure. I have often thought that myself.

[James_kr]

I agree with that makes sense.

[Major Ursa]

I believ that it could also be a reference to Medivel times as a metafore to what the show is about.

[Lost Knight]

Correct, it's a metaphor. I love ambiguous titles like that. The black car works with "night," which is substituted for "Knight," and happens to be part of the main characters' names. It's a simple title on the surface, but works quite nicely when you think about it.

[Skav]

I've always thought of it the same way Daemonicus666 has.

[Squirrel3D]

Well the KNIGHT part certianly means the knight foundation and all that....not to mention michael. The RIDER means it's michael...riding the world's most advanced car. He's a shadowly flight in the world of a man that doesn't exist....thus he's the Knight Rider.

[J-Knight]

I think of it Like a Knight in shining armor, A knight Riding his trusty Horse...You think that makes sence? We may aswell belive what ever makes you happy as it was never explained WHY he chose "Knight Rider".

[Wizster]

I think the main character is supposed to be a modern-day knight going around helping people (often a damsels in distress). They found a suitable phrase that allowed a pun to be made on it ie - Night Rider as he 'lives' in the shadows of the night driving a car (Rider just sounds better than Driver).

Once they did this, they chose to call the main character Knight.

[ryytel]

well translating to our language '' Rüütli Sõitja '' gives the phrase meaning. I dont know how to translate that kind of thing its not even possible to translate

[David]

It's just a cheesy joke that actually makes for a cool sounding title, especially when spoken by Richard Basehart's dulcet tones. The show could have been called "Ass Monkey" and he would still have made it sound exciting and dangerous!

Interesting that the phrase "night rider" quickly entered the public lexicon in referece to black cars with blacked out window glass and other noirish parts...

[jup]

I agree with most of the responses to this question. Even some of the plot in episodes reflects the reasoning.

"Knight" reflects the family crest line of Wilton Knight and his Foundation.

"Rider" is what Michael Knight does inside KITT.

-also-

"Knight Rider" is a reflection of chivalry times when a man in a suit of armor would ride a strong horse into battle to save the innocent from a threat...which is a genaral reflection upon what Michael's usual mission does. Only, instead of a smart horse, it's a smart car.

[Fenix The Best]

Instead of "knight in shining armor" its "knight in shining Pontiac".

[Josch Schulz]

KNIGHT is theJumping Figure on the Chase Game and Rider thats it and KITt jumpes

[HungarianKnight]

I think the Hoff said something about "Knight Rider" being a title. It's like with "Lieutenant Commander", nor Lieutenant neither Commander, yet the phrase has its meaning. "Knight Rider" is similar to this, I think...