[tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: roS

[Steven Boozer]

Klingon word: roS
Part of speech: verb
Definition: lick
Source: KGT (226 KE, 248 EK)
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QuchwIj roSQo' 
Do not lick my forehead! (clipped pet command) PK 

(HQ 10.2:10-11):  {roS} "use the third toe" is phonetically identical to {roS} "lick" as well as the {roS} found in {roSHa'moH} "paralyze".  The verb for paralyze consists of three elements: the verb {roS} (of unclear meaning), {-Ha'} undo, {-moH} cause.  Thus it may be literally translated as "cause to no longer {roS}" or "cause to un-{roS}" or the like.  A verb {roS} having anything to do with general mobility does not occur except in {roSHa'moH}.  If the toe verb {roS} is the same verb, paralyze means cause to not use the third toe.  Perhaps mobility of the third toe was associated somehow with mobility in general.  Indeed, there is an idiomatic expression {pe'vIl roS} "he/she uses his/her third toe forcefully" which conveys the idea that he or she is particularly agile or nimble or spry.  On the other hand, maybe the motions of the Klingon third toe look like a tongue licking.

(HQ 10.2:11):  There is a joke, Maltz recalled, about someone trying to lick some food off of a stirring stick while wearing shoes. Maltz laughed, but didn't tell the joke.

SEE ALSO:
chop 		bite (v)
ghup 		swallow (v)
noS 		nibble (v)
yIv 		chew (v)
ghagh 		gargle (v)
Sop 		eat (v)
Hot 		touch (v)

jat 		tongue (n)


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons