tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Jul 23 07:28:48 2014
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Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: Huy'Dung
> Klingon Word of the Day for Wednesday, July 23, 2014
>
> Klingon word: Huy'Dung
> Part of speech: noun
> Definition: forehead (regional)
KGT 28f.: The standard word for this prominent part of Klingon anatomy is {Quch}, and this word is found with this meaning throughout the Empire. In addition, however, practically every dialect has its own alternate word for forehead. Indeed, {Quch} is simply the word for forehead in the First City. Among these other forms are: {boD, jargh, mIQ, 'aQlo', Huy'Dung, tuqvol, no''och}. While the first four of these words are simply regionalisms for forehead, the last three can be analyzed, at least partially. {Huy'Dung} is probably from {Huy' Dung} ("above the eyebrow[s]"). The word {tuqvol} may contain the word {tuq} (house [lineage]) because family resemblances can be seen in forehead ridges. The second element, {vol}, however, is otherwise unknown. Similarly, the first syllable of {no''och} may derive from {no'} (ancestors), again suggesting something about genealogy. The second syllable, {'och}, probably resembles {'och} (tunnel) only accidentally; there is no reason to think that "ancestors' tunnel" is a way to say "forehead".
KGT 157.: {paw'} "butt heads" ... describes a very common habit among Klingon warriors, particularly at festive occasions. Two Klingons stand close together, facing each other, and, with great joviality, slam their foreheads together... When the subject of {paw'} is persons, the most common interpretation of the verb is the slang one-that is, butt heads. Thus, if one were to say {paw' tera'nganpu'} ("The Terrans collide"), this would probably be taken to mean that the Terrans butt heads, as unlikely as the image might be ... There is no simple non-slang verb for "butt heads".
KGT 193f.: The remark "You lack a forehead" would be considered extremely offensive to a Klingon, calling into question his or her very identity. Since there are any number of phrases involving money that could be taken the wrong way if {Huch} is pronounced {Quch}, many tourists follow the Klingon practice of using the term {DarSeqmey} (*darseks*) ... to refer to money in general. Thus, "You lack money" would be {DarSeqmey DaHutlh} (literally, "You lack *darseks*").
"The casting of Alexander's forehead displays the {Quch} of a proud house." (KGT 28 ill. [photo from TNG "Parallels"])
To describe Klingon foreheads, use {vIl} "be ridgy" vs. {Hab} "be smooth". (Cf. also {beQ} "be flat", {ghegh} "be rough" and {tlher} "be lumpy".) A single forehead ridge is a {vIlHom}.
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
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