Re: [tlhIngan Hol] [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: QI
It occurs to me I've never seen this proposed "coincidence", but I recently ran across this video again. It's a British show called QI and this show originally aired in 2009. https://youtu.be/n_WHxN1TnnE?t=20&si=s5cTArSQAqYtjgdR Do you suppose we got the word QI in response to this episode? BTW, I'm replying to a message from long ago, so don't look for a recent message about this. janSIy ________________________________ From: Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu> Sent: Friday, August 7, 2015 9:17:39 AM To: tlhingan-hol@kli.org <tlhingan-hol@kli.org> Subject: Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: QI
Klingon Word of the Day for Friday, August 07, 2015
Klingon word: QI Part of speech: noun Definition: bridge (over a river)
Qov < MO (8/2012): "The word for bridge (as in over a river) is {QI} (one of those weird vowel-final words). Maltz said that would apply to the kind of rope bridge you described (as well as more substantial bridges). QeS (7/29/2013): ... while we were travelling to Fort Mifflin, the topic of the new word {QI} "bridge" came up in conversation in Lawrence's car, and I took the opportunity to ask Marc an associated question. Since we lack a verb for to go across in the sense of crossing a river, I've wondered for a while now as to whether {vegh} "go through" might be appropriate. When I asked Marc this, he explained that in order to sensibly talk about {vegh}-ing a bridge, the bridge would have to be covered over - that is, some form of {'och}. So basically, it seems that to {vegh} an object, the object must completely encircle the vector of travel. (Marc did also add that it need not be pedantically exact: a meshwork or cage-like object can also be {vegh}-ed, so long as the object is still essentially ringlike or tunnel-like.) HQ 12.2: {qa'rI'} is also used for the end of bounded space which is seen as having length even if it is not enclosed space. Thus, it is used for the end of a road, the end of a bridge, the end of a long field. ... On the other hand, if a bridge is under construction and lies halfway across a river or gorge or freeway, it may be said to have a {megh'an} (or {'er'In}). N.B. do not confuse with the noun {meH} "bridge (aboard ship)" (or probably "control room" aboard a submarine which technically don't have bridges, at least not in the US Navy). Pun: Cf. Pierre Boule's novel & classic movie "Bridge Over the River Kwai" (!) -- Voragh Ca'Non Master of the Klingons _______________________________________________ Tlhingan-hol mailing list Tlhingan-hol@kli.org http://mail.kli.org/mailman/listinfo/tlhingan-hol
We did. Marc has said directly that his response to "The is no word for bridge" was ... "There is now". *Christopher Kidder-Mostrom* (Pronouns: He/Him) Alphabet Soup: MFA. SDC. AEA. SAG-AFTRA. SAFD. DGA. ALTA. *http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher-kidder-mostrom <http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher-kidder-mostrom>* *https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom <https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom>* On Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 6:51 PM janSIy . via tlhIngan-Hol < tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org> wrote:
It occurs to me I've never seen this proposed "coincidence", but I recently ran across this video again. It's a British show called QI and this show originally aired in 2009.
https://youtu.be/n_WHxN1TnnE?t=20&si=s5cTArSQAqYtjgdR
Do you suppose we got the word QI in response to this episode?
BTW, I'm replying to a message from long ago, so don't look for a recent message about this.
janSIy
------------------------------ *From:* Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu> *Sent:* Friday, August 7, 2015 9:17:39 AM *To:* tlhingan-hol@kli.org <tlhingan-hol@kli.org> *Subject:* Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: QI
Klingon Word of the Day for Friday, August 07, 2015
Klingon word: QI Part of speech: noun Definition: bridge (over a river)
Qov < MO (8/2012): "The word for bridge (as in over a river) is {QI} (one of those weird vowel-final words). Maltz said that would apply to the kind of rope bridge you described (as well as more substantial bridges).
QeS (7/29/2013): ... while we were travelling to Fort Mifflin, the topic of the new word {QI} "bridge" came up in conversation in Lawrence's car, and I took the opportunity to ask Marc an associated question. Since we lack a verb for to go across in the sense of crossing a river, I've wondered for a while now as to whether {vegh} "go through" might be appropriate. When I asked Marc this, he explained that in order to sensibly talk about {vegh}-ing a bridge, the bridge would have to be covered over - that is, some form of {'och}. So basically, it seems that to {vegh} an object, the object must completely encircle the vector of travel. (Marc did also add that it need not be pedantically exact: a meshwork or cage-like object can also be {vegh}-ed, so long as the object is still essentially ringlike or tunnel-like.)
HQ 12.2: {qa'rI'} is also used for the end of bounded space which is seen as having length even if it is not enclosed space. Thus, it is used for the end of a road, the end of a bridge, the end of a long field. ... On the other hand, if a bridge is under construction and lies halfway across a river or gorge or freeway, it may be said to have a {megh'an} (or {'er'In}).
N.B. do not confuse with the noun {meH} "bridge (aboard ship)" (or probably "control room" aboard a submarine which technically don't have bridges, at least not in the US Navy).
Pun: Cf. Pierre Boule's novel & classic movie "Bridge Over the River Kwai" (!)
-- Voragh Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
_______________________________________________ Tlhingan-hol mailing list Tlhingan-hol@kli.org http://mail.kli.org/mailman/listinfo/tlhingan-hol _______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org
It's also worth noting that Marc was likely well-familiar with QI, having collaborated with Stephen Fry on at least two projects back while he was still the host of the show: * Stephen Fry visited Marc's theatre company and appeared in a partial performance of Hamlet for his documentary series Planet Word: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kpKY6xIQmY * When Stephen Fry was asked to read snow-related words in various languages for Kate Moss's song "50 Words for Snow", the original version apparently contained some gibberish. Fry, presumably having gotten to know Marc during the making of Planet Word, got in touch with him and requested a proper translation, which ended up being {peDtaH 'ej chIS qo'}. These projects both came out in 2011, and the word {QI} was revealed in 2012, so even if Marc wasn't familiar with the show QI before, odds are he would have been by then. //loghaD ________________________________ From: tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol-bounces@lists.kli.org> on behalf of Christopher Kidder-Mostrom via tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2026 4:17:42 AM To: tlhingan-hol@kli.org Cc: Christopher Kidder-Mostrom Subject: Re: [tlhIngan Hol] [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: QI We did. Marc has said directly that his response to "The is no word for bridge" was ... "There is now". Christopher Kidder-Mostrom (Pronouns: He/Him) Alphabet Soup: MFA. SDC. AEA. SAG-AFTRA. SAFD. DGA. ALTA. http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher-kidder-mostrom https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom On Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 6:51 PM janSIy . via tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org<mailto:tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org>> wrote: It occurs to me I've never seen this proposed "coincidence", but I recently ran across this video again. It's a British show called QI and this show originally aired in 2009. https://youtu.be/n_WHxN1TnnE?t=20&si=s5cTArSQAqYtjgdR Do you suppose we got the word QI in response to this episode? BTW, I'm replying to a message from long ago, so don't look for a recent message about this. janSIy ________________________________ From: Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu<mailto:sboozer@uchicago.edu>> Sent: Friday, August 7, 2015 9:17:39 AM To: tlhingan-hol@kli.org<mailto:tlhingan-hol@kli.org> <tlhingan-hol@kli.org<mailto:tlhingan-hol@kli.org>> Subject: Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: QI
Klingon Word of the Day for Friday, August 07, 2015
Klingon word: QI Part of speech: noun Definition: bridge (over a river)
Qov < MO (8/2012): "The word for bridge (as in over a river) is {QI} (one of those weird vowel-final words). Maltz said that would apply to the kind of rope bridge you described (as well as more substantial bridges). QeS (7/29/2013): ... while we were travelling to Fort Mifflin, the topic of the new word {QI} "bridge" came up in conversation in Lawrence's car, and I took the opportunity to ask Marc an associated question. Since we lack a verb for to go across in the sense of crossing a river, I've wondered for a while now as to whether {vegh} "go through" might be appropriate. When I asked Marc this, he explained that in order to sensibly talk about {vegh}-ing a bridge, the bridge would have to be covered over - that is, some form of {'och}. So basically, it seems that to {vegh} an object, the object must completely encircle the vector of travel. (Marc did also add that it need not be pedantically exact: a meshwork or cage-like object can also be {vegh}-ed, so long as the object is still essentially ringlike or tunnel-like.) HQ 12.2: {qa'rI'} is also used for the end of bounded space which is seen as having length even if it is not enclosed space. Thus, it is used for the end of a road, the end of a bridge, the end of a long field. ... On the other hand, if a bridge is under construction and lies halfway across a river or gorge or freeway, it may be said to have a {megh'an} (or {'er'In}). N.B. do not confuse with the noun {meH} "bridge (aboard ship)" (or probably "control room" aboard a submarine which technically don't have bridges, at least not in the US Navy). Pun: Cf. Pierre Boule's novel & classic movie "Bridge Over the River Kwai" (!) -- Voragh Ca'Non Master of the Klingons _______________________________________________ Tlhingan-hol mailing list Tlhingan-hol@kli.org<mailto:Tlhingan-hol@kli.org> http://mail.kli.org/mailman/listinfo/tlhingan-hol _______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org<mailto:tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org> http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org ________________________________ Observera att avsändaren inte är anställd vid Kungliga Tekniska högskolan. KTH ansvarar inte för åsikter, påståenden eller personuppgifter som förmedlas i detta meddelande. Please note that the sender is not employed by KTH Royal Institute of Technology. KTH is not responsible for the opinions, claims or personal data conveyed in this message.
On Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 7:08 AM Felix Malmenbeck via tlhIngan-Hol < tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org> wrote:
It's also worth noting that Marc was likely well-familiar with QI, having collaborated with Stephen Fry on at least two projects back while he was still the host of the show
And yet, despite this, Fry manages to mispronounce Marc's surname.
That is interesting. For so many years, I had been thinking this was a pun based on the movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai". Having this new information, the pun on the show "QI" is a lot more likely now. Lievenr. Am 30.04.2026 um 04:17 schrieb Christopher Kidder-Mostrom via tlhIngan-Hol:
We did. Marc has said directly that his response to "The is no word for bridge" was ... "There is now".
*Christopher Kidder-Mostrom* (Pronouns: He/Him) Alphabet Soup: MFA. SDC. AEA. SAG-AFTRA. SAFD. DGA. ALTA.
/http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher-kidder- mostrom <http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher- kidder-mostrom>/ / / /https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom <https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom>/
On Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 6:51 PM janSIy . via tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan- hol@lists.kli.org <mailto:tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org>> wrote:
It occurs to me I've never seen this proposed "coincidence", but I recently ran across this video again. It's a British show called QI and this show originally aired in 2009.
https://youtu.be/n_WHxN1TnnE?t=20&si=s5cTArSQAqYtjgdR <https:// youtu.be/n_WHxN1TnnE?t=20&si=s5cTArSQAqYtjgdR>
Do you suppose we got the word QI in response to this episode?
BTW, I'm replying to a message from long ago, so don't look for a recent message about this.
janSIy
------------------------------------------------------------------------ *From:* Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu <mailto:sboozer@uchicago.edu>> *Sent:* Friday, August 7, 2015 9:17:39 AM *To:* tlhingan-hol@kli.org <mailto:tlhingan-hol@kli.org> <tlhingan- hol@kli.org <mailto:tlhingan-hol@kli.org>> *Subject:* Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: QI > Klingon Word of the Day for Friday, August 07, 2015 > > Klingon word: QI > Part of speech: noun > Definition: bridge (over a river)
Qov < MO (8/2012): "The word for bridge (as in over a river) is {QI} (one of those weird vowel-final words). Maltz said that would apply to the kind of rope bridge you described (as well as more substantial bridges).
QeS (7/29/2013): ... while we were travelling to Fort Mifflin, the topic of the new word {QI} "bridge" came up in conversation in Lawrence's car, and I took the opportunity to ask Marc an associated question. Since we lack a verb for to go across in the sense of crossing a river, I've wondered for a while now as to whether {vegh} "go through" might be appropriate. When I asked Marc this, he explained that in order to sensibly talk about {vegh}-ing a bridge, the bridge would have to be covered over - that is, some form of {'och}. So basically, it seems that to {vegh} an object, the object must completely encircle the vector of travel. (Marc did also add that it need not be pedantically exact: a meshwork or cage-like object can also be {vegh}-ed, so long as the object is still essentially ringlike or tunnel-like.)
HQ 12.2: {qa'rI'} is also used for the end of bounded space which is seen as having length even if it is not enclosed space. Thus, it is used for the end of a road, the end of a bridge, the end of a long field. ... On the other hand, if a bridge is under construction and lies halfway across a river or gorge or freeway, it may be said to have a {megh'an} (or {'er'In}).
N.B. do not confuse with the noun {meH} "bridge (aboard ship)" (or probably "control room" aboard a submarine which technically don't have bridges, at least not in the US Navy).
Pun: Cf. Pierre Boule's novel & classic movie "Bridge Over the River Kwai" (!)
-- Voragh Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
_______________________________________________ Tlhingan-hol mailing list Tlhingan-hol@kli.org <mailto:Tlhingan-hol@kli.org> http://mail.kli.org/mailman/listinfo/tlhingan-hol <http:// mail.kli.org/mailman/listinfo/tlhingan-hol> _______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org <mailto:tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org> http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org <http:// lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org>
_______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org
-- Lieven L. Litaer aka the "Klingon Teacher from Germany" https://tlhInganHol.com https://klingon.wiki/En/AliceInWonderland
Sir Stephen Fry will also relate that tale, as he did to my daughter and me in 2017. He signed a copy of his book about myths for her I signed a copy of KCC for him. It was Marc's connection to the both of us that got us backstage to chat with him. *Christopher Kidder-Mostrom* (Pronouns: He/Him) Alphabet Soup: MFA. SDC. AEA. SAG-AFTRA. SAFD. DGA. ALTA. *http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher-kidder-mostrom <http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher-kidder-mostrom>* *https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom <https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom>* On Fri, May 1, 2026, 01:31 Lieven L. Litaer via tlhIngan-Hol < tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org> wrote:
That is interesting. For so many years, I had been thinking this was a pun based on the movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai".
Having this new information, the pun on the show "QI" is a lot more likely now.
Lievenr.
Am 30.04.2026 um 04:17 schrieb Christopher Kidder-Mostrom via tlhIngan-Hol:
We did. Marc has said directly that his response to "The is no word for bridge" was ... "There is now".
*Christopher Kidder-Mostrom* (Pronouns: He/Him) Alphabet Soup: MFA. SDC. AEA. SAG-AFTRA. SAFD. DGA. ALTA.
/http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher-kidder- mostrom <http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/477910-christopher- kidder-mostrom>/ / / /https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom <https://newplayexchange.org/users/16605/christopher-kidder-mostrom>/
On Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 6:51 PM janSIy . via tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan- hol@lists.kli.org <mailto:tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org>> wrote:
It occurs to me I've never seen this proposed "coincidence", but I recently ran across this video again. It's a British show called QI and this show originally aired in 2009.
https://youtu.be/n_WHxN1TnnE?t=20&si=s5cTArSQAqYtjgdR <https:// youtu.be/n_WHxN1TnnE?t=20&si=s5cTArSQAqYtjgdR>
Do you suppose we got the word QI in response to this episode?
BTW, I'm replying to a message from long ago, so don't look for a recent message about this.
janSIy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu <mailto:sboozer@uchicago.edu>> *Sent:* Friday, August 7, 2015 9:17:39 AM *To:* tlhingan-hol@kli.org <mailto:tlhingan-hol@kli.org> <tlhingan- hol@kli.org <mailto:tlhingan-hol@kli.org>> *Subject:* Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: QI > Klingon Word of the Day for Friday, August 07, 2015 > > Klingon word: QI > Part of speech: noun > Definition: bridge (over a river)
Qov < MO (8/2012): "The word for bridge (as in over a river) is {QI} (one of those weird vowel-final words). Maltz said that would apply to the kind of rope bridge you described (as well as more substantial bridges).
QeS (7/29/2013): ... while we were travelling to Fort Mifflin, the topic of the new word {QI} "bridge" came up in conversation in Lawrence's car, and I took the opportunity to ask Marc an associated question. Since we lack a verb for to go across in the sense of crossing a river, I've wondered for a while now as to whether {vegh} "go through" might be appropriate. When I asked Marc this, he explained that in order to sensibly talk about {vegh}-ing a bridge, the bridge would have to be covered over - that is, some form of {'och}. So basically, it seems that to {vegh} an object, the object must completely encircle the vector of travel. (Marc did also add that it need not be pedantically exact: a meshwork or cage-like object can also be {vegh}-ed, so long as the object is still essentially ringlike or tunnel-like.)
HQ 12.2: {qa'rI'} is also used for the end of bounded space which is seen as having length even if it is not enclosed space. Thus, it is used for the end of a road, the end of a bridge, the end of a long field. ... On the other hand, if a bridge is under construction and lies halfway across a river or gorge or freeway, it may be said to have a {megh'an} (or {'er'In}).
N.B. do not confuse with the noun {meH} "bridge (aboard ship)" (or probably "control room" aboard a submarine which technically don't have bridges, at least not in the US Navy).
Pun: Cf. Pierre Boule's novel & classic movie "Bridge Over the River Kwai" (!)
-- Voragh Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
_______________________________________________ Tlhingan-hol mailing list Tlhingan-hol@kli.org <mailto:Tlhingan-hol@kli.org> http://mail.kli.org/mailman/listinfo/tlhingan-hol <http:// mail.kli.org/mailman/listinfo/tlhingan-hol> _______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org <mailto:tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org> http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org <http:// lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org>
_______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org
-- Lieven L. Litaer aka the "Klingon Teacher from Germany" https://tlhInganHol.com https://klingon.wiki/En/AliceInWonderland
_______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org
That's what I'd always thought too, especially as I had never heard of the show "QI". However, the novel/movie makes for a more memorable mnemonic. <{mon}> Voragh -----------------------------------Original Message----------------------------------- From: Lieven L. Litaer via tlhIngan-Hol Sent: Friday, May 1, 2026 3:27 AM That is interesting. For so many years, I had been thinking this was a pun based on the movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai". Having this new information, the pun on the show "QI" is a lot more likely now. Am 30.04.2026 um 04:17 schrieb Christopher Kidder-Mostrom via tlhIngan-Hol:
We did. Marc has said directly that his response to "The is no word for bridge" was ... "There is now".
On Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 6:51 PM janSIy . via tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan- hol@lists.kli.org <mailto:tlhingan-hol@lists.kli.org>> wrote:
It occurs to me I've never seen this proposed "coincidence", but I recently ran across this video again. It's a British show called QI and this show originally aired in 2009.
Do you suppose we got the word QI in response to this episode?
BTW, I'm replying to a message from long ago, so don't look for a recent message about this.
janSIy
------------------------------------------------------------------------ *From:* Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu <mailto:sboozer@uchicago.edu>> *Sent:* Friday, August 7, 2015 9:17:39 AM > > Klingon word: QI > Part of speech: noun > Definition: bridge (over a river)
Qov < MO (8/2012): "The word for bridge (as in over a river) is {QI} (one of those weird vowel-final words). Maltz said that would apply to the kind of rope bridge you described (as well as more substantial bridges).
QeS (7/29/2013): ... while we were travelling to Fort Mifflin, the topic of the new word {QI} "bridge" came up in conversation in Lawrence's car, and I took the opportunity to ask Marc an associated question. Since we lack a verb for to go across in the sense of crossing a river, I've wondered for a while now as to whether {vegh} "go through" might be appropriate. When I asked Marc this, he explained that in order to sensibly talk about {vegh}-ing a bridge, the bridge would have to be covered over - that is, some form of {'och}. So basically, it seems that to {vegh} an object, the object must completely encircle the vector of travel. (Marc did also add that it need not be pedantically exact: a meshwork or cage-like object can also be {vegh}-ed, so long as the object is still essentially ringlike or tunnel-like.)
HQ 12.2: {qa'rI'} is also used for the end of bounded space which is seen as having length even if it is not enclosed space. Thus, it is used for the end of a road, the end of a bridge, the end of a long field. ... On the other hand, if a bridge is under construction and lies halfway across a river or gorge or freeway, it may be said to have a {megh'an} (or {'er'In}).
N.B. do not confuse with the noun {meH} "bridge (aboard ship)" (or probably "control room" aboard a submarine which technically don't have bridges, at least not in the US Navy).
Pun: Cf. Pierre Boule's novel & classic movie "Bridge Over the River Kwai" (!)
_______________________________________________
participants (6)
-
Christopher Kidder-Mostrom -
Felix Malmenbeck -
janSIy . -
Lawrence M. Schoen -
Lieven L. Litaer -
Steven Boozer