(looks it up at Wiki)
Tikka or Teeka is an Indian word with multiple meanings.
It is a word from Pushtu meaning a piece of meat etc. In Hindi and Punjabi this is referred to as boti. Tikka in this sense is pronounced with a soft 't'. Tieeka or tikka in the forehead/or needle sense is pronounced with a hard 't'.
In English, the terms are often written the same, which can lead to some confusion.
The red mark worn on the forehead by men or women. The woman's mark is more often called a bindi, and the red mark when worn by men or when applied with red vermilion paste, is more often called a tikka. It is applied typically with the thumb, in an upward stroke.
When Rajput men married, they are said to have cut their thumb on their sword and applied a tikka of their own blood to their brides. This custom evoked the Rajput values of courage and indifference to pain.
Several Bollywood movies have used the "tikka of blood" theme, notably Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Gadar.
The tear drop shape of the teeka / tikka is likened to the tear drop shape of some meats, when cooked in a cutlet form. Chicken tikka refers to this shape. Tikka can be of any shape, cooked, roasted or fried it has nothing to do with tear drops.
A marinade made of a mixture of aromatic spices and dahi (the Indian word for plain yoghurt). The red marinade is likened to tikka, not because of the shape as above, but because of the red color. It probably originated in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan and is most commonly used to marinate small pieces of chicken, fish or paneer, which are then grilled in a tandoor. This marinade is traditionally not used for pork, mutton, lamb or beef.
Tikka Khan was Chief of Pakistan Army.
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Oh. It's an oblique reference to Lister's quest for Indian food, which in the original ending left him stranded in space. And I guess Kennedy's "ride" in Dallas.
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What a confusing, awful title.