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

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon Word of the Day for Monday, May 27, 2013
> 
> Klingon word: von
> Part of speech: verb
> Definition: trap, entrap
> Source: KGT

KGT 165f.:  This verb [{vonlu'}] literally means "be trapped, entrapped". The verb {von}, usually translated as "trap, entrap", means "put (someone) in a position from which there is no escape." For a Klingon, to be in such a position, to be unable to fight back, is most dishonorable, especially since he or she is likely to be viewed in a helpless state. Thus, it is a sign of utter failure. The slang expression is used in such constructions as {bIvonlu'pu'} ("You have failed completely"; literally, "You have been trapped").
  In standard Klingon, the same idea may be expressed by saying {lujbej} (certainly fail), {lujchu'} (fail perfectly), or {lujqu'} (really fail), all based on {luj} (fail). Note that {luj} is also used to mean lose (as in "lose at a game"). To say "I lose" is {jIluj}; to say "I lose in a big way" is {jIlujqu'} or {jIlujchu'}. The slang term {vonlu'} is not used in reference to games. It means "perform most inadequately, ineffectually, unsuccessfully" and is applied to one's performance as a warrior, tactician, political usurper, and the like. 

The {qorvIt} is a "rodent that eats through plants, commonly found on Klingon farms, where farmers have set traps for them." (DeCandido, "Klingon Empire: A Burning House" (KEBH))

PUN:
"Von Trapp" (Captain Von Trapp in the movie "The Sound of Music" was played by Christopher Plummer, who also played Chang in ST6.)

Similar verbs:

weH 		raid
Sam 		locate, seek and find
ghoch 	track [down]
tu' 		find
nej 		look for, seek, search for
wam 		hunt


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons