tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon May 03 07:40:15 1999
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Re: Doq'a' SuvwI'pu'?
> Q: Doq'a' SuvwI'pu'?
> A: ghobe'. SuD!
T'Lod:
: I have no idea why, but I am laughing at this. What is this from, and what
: is it supposed to mean?
ghunchu'wI':
: Its origin is obscure, but it's probably the funniest joke in the known
: universe, at least among speakers of the Klingon language. As for what
: it means, you'll have to decide that for yourself. At least you already
: have the laugh reflex; that's a great start.
It comes from the "Power Klingon" audiotape/CD, as one of three of the most
popular Klingon jokes the tourist should know. The other two are:
Qo'noSDaq paw cha' DIvI' beq.
tlhIngan 'avwI' lughom.
lutlhob: <naDevvo' vaS'a'Daq majaHlaH'a'?>
jang 'avwI': <lIchopbe'chugh ghewmey!>
'avwI'vaD jatlh qama': <jIghung.>
jang 'avwI': <jIghung je.>
jatlh qama': <jI'oj.>
jang 'avwI': <jI'oj je.>
jatlh qama': <jIDoy'qu'.>
jatlh 'avwI': <jIDoy'be'!>
As for what it means, I think Okrand included it as an example of humor that
simply doesn't translate across cultures - not to mention species - even when
you understand the grammar and vocabulary perfectly. (In fact, that's the
whole premise of "Power Klingon": learning to understand the cultural meaning
of what you hear, as opposed to its literal translation.) Others have
speculated that the joke is a pun on {SuD} "gamble, take a chance, take a
risk"
- an important quality in a successful Klingon warrior.
Maltz, of course, hasn't said a word.
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons