The books themselves are inconsistent on “answer to life, the universe and everything” vs “answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything”.
”O Deep Thought Computer,” he said, ”the task we have designed you
to perform is this. We want you to tell us ...” he paused, ”...the Answer!” ”The answer?” said Deep Thought. ”The answer to what?”
”Life!” urged Fook.
”The Universe!” said Lunkwill.
”Everything!” they said in chorus.
”O Deep Thought Computer,” he said, ”the task we have designed you to perform is this. We want you to tell us ...” he paused, ”...the Answer!” ”The answer?” said Deep Thought. ”The answer to what?” ”Life!” urged Fook. ”The Universe!” said Lunkwill. ”Everything!” they said in chorus.