tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Jun 30 07:33:53 2006
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Re: Klingon WOTD: joQ (noun)
>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Friday, June 30, 2006.
>
>Category: Body Parts
>
>Klingon word: joQ
>Part of Speech: noun
>Definition: rib
Klingons have 23 ribs ({joQDu'}). The idiom {cha'maH cha' joQDu'}
("twenty-two ribs"), leaving one rib out, is used to indicate that
something is missing or not quite right, especially when it is difficult or
impossible to explain the problem. It can be used in varied circumstances.
For example, referring to a situation, one might say {naDev cha'maH cha'
joQDu' tu'lu'} ("There are twenty-two ribs here")--that is, there is
something out of the ordinary going on, even if no one can say exactly
what. Referring to a person, one could say {cha'maH cha' joQDu' ghaj qama'}
("The prisoner has twenty-two ribs"), suggesting that the prisoner is
somehow a bit strange. If any other number is used, such as {cha'maH wa'
joQDu'} ("twenty-one ribs"), the phrase is always interpreted
literally--that is, as a statement about anatomy. If, by chance, a Klingon
really does have only 22 ribs, owing to a prior injury, for example,
reference to this fact is usually phrased in a way to avoid saying {cha'maH
cha' joQDu'} ("twenty-two ribs") and having to deal with the snickers. A
common alternative is {wa' joQ Hutlh ghaH} ("He/she lacks one rib"). (KGT
126-27)
[Non-idiomatic qualities include {Huj} be strange; {jum} be odd; {taQ} be
weird.]
The only thing worse would be combining mispronunciation with grammatical
blundering, such as by saying {joQDu'wIj} ("my ribs") ... when {joHpu'wI'}
("my Lords, my Ladies") is intended. Mistakes of this kind are simply not
tolerated and there are no recorded instances of anyone living long enough
to repeat the offense. (KGT 190)
>Homonyms:
> joQ (noun) - strip of material in a [susdek] instrument
A third category of Klingon instrument is the {SuSDeq}, the windbag or
bellows type. A {SuSDeq} has a flexible bag, usually made of animal skin,
which is alternately filled with and emptied of air. This air passes over
strips of various materials ({joQmey}), which vibrate as the air goes by,
producing the musical tones. (KGT 75-76)
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons