tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Jan 12 03:23:11 2001
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Klingon WOTD: bang pong (n)
This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Friday, January 12, 2001.
Klingon word: bang pong
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: pet name, endearment
Additional Notes:
KGT p. 199.
One may refer to one's "romantic partner" as {parmaqqaywI'} (my {parmaqqay}), but one rarely uses the word in direct address (as in, say, {parmaqqay HIghoS} [{parmaqqay}, come here]). Instead, couples (officially married and otherwise) tend to call each other by pet names (sometimes called endearments or hypocorisms or, in Klingon, {bang pongmey} ["beloveds' names'"]). A {bang pong} is usually couple-specific--that is, the set of expressions used by one couple is different from that used by another couple. Pet names are almost never uttered unless the two members of the couple are alone and, therefore, are seldom known by anyone else. Indeed, one of the defining characteristics of a bang pong is that it be secret, known only by the two members of the couple. The phenomenon of the {bang pong}, however, is not secret. Usually, parents teach their children how the system works and have to give examples in doing so, though it is not known whether the example pet names are actual pet names used by the parents doing the teaching. Sometimes, however, children learn about the custom from other children. In particular, younger children often tell each other pet names they have heard. A child who has a reputation for revealing pet names is usually quite popular among other children, though older Klingons, upon finding out about his or her lack of propriety, will certainly take disciplinary action. As children grow older and start to experience {parmaq} (love, romance) themselves, they tend to become quite protective of their own {bang pongmey}. Primarily because of the conversations of children, but also because, despite all precautions, one member of a couple is on rare occasion overheard saying a {bang pong}, it is possible to give a small number of examples. A {bang pong} is formed by attaching {-oy}, the suffix indicating endearment, to an everyday noun. Most of the resulting terms make very little sense to anyone not in the particular relationship, and none translates well. Some pet terms are based on words for kinds of food, such as {chatlhoy} and {'awje'oy}. Perhaps these words could be rendered in Federation Standard as "soupy" and "poppy" (from "soda pop"), though neither translation conveys the intimacy and intensity of the Klingon. Other terms consist of words for weapons plus {-oy}: for example: {yanoy}, {HIchoy}, {tajoy}, {jorwI'oy}. A third type involves body parts, Klingon or otherwise, as in {'uSoy}, {'aDoy}, {pIpoy}, {pachoy}. Another term based on a body part, {Ho'oy}, is one of the few that makes sense to a non-Klingon if it is remembered that {Ho'} is a slang term for "hero, idol"... Because of the nature of the {parmaq} relationship, misusing a {bang pong} is a serious cultural offense. This could mean, among other things, revealing a {bang pong} to someone other than one's {parmaqqay}, revealing a third party's {bang pong} (regardless of how this information was acquired), addressing one's {parmaqqay} by the wrong pet name, or using a {bang pong} in a public setting. Unless a visitor gets invoved in a serious relationship with a Klingon, it is strongly advised that one avoid saying anything that can be misinterpreted as a misused {bang pong}.
The Klingon Word Of The Day is brought to you by Holtej ([email protected]). Please contact me with additions, corrections or comments.
--Holtej 'utlh
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