[Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: chuH

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon Word of the Day for Wednesday, November 07, 2012
> 
> Klingon word:   chuH
> Part of speech: verb
> Definition: 	  1) throw (a spear) at, hurl (a spear) at, 
>                 2) explain clearly to, clarify for, specify for (slang)


Used in canon:

jagh chuH SuvwI' 
The warrior spears the enemy. 
The warrior throws [a spear] at the enemy. KGT

jagh chuHchu' SuvwI' 
The warrior spears the enemy perfectly.
The warrior hits the enemy [with a thrown spear]. KGT

qachuHnIS'a' 
Must I hurl a spear at you? 
(i.e. "Do I have to clarify it for you?") KGT

HIchuH! 
Clarify for me! Spell it out for me! KGT

yaS chuH 
He/she clarifies [it] for the officer. KGT

 
KGT 64f.:  Some spears are simply thrust into an oncoming enemy. Others are generally thrown. The thrower first lowers the spear to a horizontal position (the verb describing this action is {ghuS}), then hurls it with great force (throw or hurl in this manner is {chuH}). The verb {chuH}, which is more accurately translated as "spear"--that is, "hurl a spear at", can be used only if the projectile being thrown is a spear or somehow resembles a spear. The object of the verb is the intended target: {jagh chuH SuvwI'} ("The warrior spears the enemy", or "The warrior throws [a spear] at the enemy"). One way to indicate that the target is actually hit is to add the suffix -{chu'} (perfectly) to the verb: {jagh chuHchu' SuvwI'} ("The warrior spears the enemy perfectly, The warrior hits the enemy [with a thrown spear])". ... There is a single verb, {wob}, that is used to describe the full range of activities involved in putting the spear properly into the spear-throwing aid and using the aid to hurl the spear: {tlhevjaQ wob} ("He/she puts the {tlhevjaQ} into the {chetvI'} and hurls the spear"). In speaking of this type of spear and spear-throwing technique, it is still proper to use the verb {chuH} when talking about throwing the spear at a target.

KGT 149:  The literal meaning of {chuH} is "throw a spear at, hurl a spear at". The object of {chuH} is usually the intended target, the person or thing at which the spear is thrown. In the slang sense, the object of the verb is the person who wants clarification, as in {HIchuH!} ("Clarify for me! Spell it out for me!") or {yaS chuH} ("He/she clarifies [it] for the officer"). The verb {QIj} (explain) is a standard term somewhat close to this in meaning, though the object of {QIj} is that which is explained, while the person to whom the explanation is given is the indirect object: {yaSvaD nab QIj} ("He/she explains the plan to the officer").


Related words:

jaD		throw around,  hurl about (v)
baQ 		toss bat'leth from one hand to the other (v)

chonnaQ  	hunting spear (n)
naQjej 	spear (n)
ghIntaq 	battle spear (n)

chetvI' 	spear-throwing device (n)
tlhevjaQ	type of spear used with {chetvI'}

QIn 		spearhead (n)
tIH 		shaft (of spear) (n)


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons