tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Jun 10 07:17:53 2005
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Re: Klingon WOTD: to'waQ (noun)
>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Friday, June 10, 2005.
>
>Category: Body Parts
>
>Klingon word: to'waQ
>Part of Speech: noun
>Definition: ligament, tendon
As used in canon:
to'waQ meQ vutwI'
The cook burns the tendon. KGT
to'waQ mIQ vutwI'
The cook deep-fries the tendon. KGT
>Additional Notes:
>KGT p. 88, as food.
While tendon or ligament ({to'waQ}) that has been deep-fried
is one of the few hot dishes enjoyed by most Klingons, burnt
tendon is definitely a culinary gaffe." [KGT 191]
Note the idiom: {to'waQ yIv} "chew ligament":
This is an idiomatic way of saying "take some time to consider
a matter." The origins of the phrase are unknown, but the imagery
makes sense, since even with Klingon teeth, to chew ({yIv})gummy
ligament or tendon ({to'waQ}) takes longer than to chew most
other types of food. The expression may be used as a command,
as in {to'waQ yIyIv!} ("Chew ligament!"--that is, "Take your
time thinking about it!") or as a statement, often with the verb
suffix {-taH} ("continuous"), implying an ongoing activity, as in
{to'waQ vIyIvtaH} ("I'm chewing ligament"--that is, "I'm in the
process of taking my time considering the matter"). Though not
necessarily derogatory, it is frequently used with negative
connotations: {to'waQ yIyIvQo'; DaH yIwuq!} ("Don't chew ligament;
decide now!") or {HoD QaQbe' ghaH; reH to'waQ yIv} ("He/she is not
a good captain). [KGT 119]
Cf. also {Somraw} "muscle".
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons