tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Jun 06 07:12:19 2014
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Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: butlh
> Klingon Word of the Day for Friday, June 06, 2014
>
> Klingon word: butlh
> Part of speech: noun
> Definition: dirt under fingernails; symbolic equivalent of gall, an
> admirable trait to have
butlh DaHutlh
You lack dirt under your fingernails. TKW
butlh ghajbogh nuv'e' yIHo'
Admire the person with dirt under his fingernails.
TKW 142: The Klingon word {butlh} (dirt under fingernails) can be taken literally, but in this expression it means something like effrontery, impudence, brazenness.
KGT 10f.: For example, {qajunpaQ} (courage, audacity) comes from *kajunpakt*, a word used in this sense but literally meaning something like "glowing lava" or "fiery lava" in a language originally spoken on Krios. In Klingon, it implies courage of a rather surprising or unexpected kind, perhaps even recklessness, as opposed to {toDuj} (courage, bravery), which is more neutral. Some Klingon speakers preserve the original pronunciation, though most fall into the more usual Klingon phonetic pattern. Probably very few Klingons are even vaguely aware of the original connection of *kajunpakt* with lava, glowing or otherwise. The Klingon word for lava, {vaHbo'}, has nothing to do with *kajunpakt*.
"You speak of courage. Obviously you do not know the difference between courage and foolhardiness." (Kor, TOS "Errand of Mercy")
(Somewhat) related words:
nItlhpach fingernail (n)
lam dirt (n)
'atlhqam type of edible (foot) fungus (n)
HuH bile, gall, slime (n)
quHvaj dandruff (n)
qajunpaQ *kajunpakt* (i.e. courage, audacity) (n)
jeQ be self-confident (v)
jaq be bold (v)
yoH be brave (v)
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
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