Awhuxlb.202
net.games.pacman
utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!mhtsa!mhuxt!eagle!wheps!zeppo!whuxlb!harpo!whuxlb!ech
Fri Apr  2 12:42:11 1982
Atari etymology
"Atari" is, in fact a Go term, but is spoken as a courtesy, i.e.,
"I am able to capture one of your stones (or groups) on the next move."
No claim to inevitability is made; in general (but not always),
the opponent CAN do something to prevent the actual capture (like place
a BIGGER group of YOURS in jeopardy).  Chess players usually offer a similar
warning when the opposing Queen is en pris (again, subject to capture
on the next move, with no claim to the effect that the capture is unavoidable).

I believe that a more literal translation is something like "defend yourself"
or (for Douglas Fairbanks fans) "en guarde!!"

=Ned Horvath=