Klingon n.
in the fictional universe of the Star Trek franchise: a member of a humanoid alien race, characterized by authoritarian brutality and a strict code of honor; (also) the language of this race, now widely studied as an artificial language
[invented by Gene L. Coon for the Star Trek episode ‘Errand of Mercy’; named after Wilber Clingan, a former colleague]
Memory Alpha
Star Trek
Aliens
Language
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1967
Gene L. Coon
We are to proceed to Organia and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the Klingons from using it as a base. Ibid. The Klingons are a military dictatorship. War is their way of life. Life under the Klingon rule would be very unpleasant.
Errand of Mercy (Star Trek episode) (transcription)
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1967 Ludington (Michigan) Daily News 17 Mar. 14
The placid planet of Organia…deals with the threat of invasion by the hostile Klingon armies.
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1968
Gene Roddenberry
bibliography
A Klingon warship is attacking us with photon bolts, and there are near misses going on all around us…explosions.
in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ vii. 116
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1968
bibliography
Physically, the Klingons are slightly oriental looking, dark complexioned, with bushy eyebrows that arch up at both ends. The men, without exception, are bearded. They have no patience with women.
in S. E. Whitfield & G. Roddenberry Making of ‘Star Trek’ ix. 257
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[1984 Starlog May 21/1
I’m sure Leonard Nimoy wouldn’t sacrifice a good take for improper Klingonese, but we did the best we could to keep the language accurate.]
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1985
Marc Okrand
bibliography
The system of writing Klingon…in this dictionary has been developed so people who already know how to read English will have a minimum of difficulty.
Klingon Dictionary i. 13 -
1985
Barbara Hambly
And the Klingons are very skillful about things like that.
Ishmael i. 9
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1996 Linguistics & Science Fiction Sept. 2/2
There’s an added bonus for real Star Trek fans in the form of…an interactive point-and-click guide to the Klingon language.
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1997
William Shatner
The planet’s name was Chal, a Klingon term for Heaven.
Avenger iii. 21
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1998
Greg Cox
bibliography
Not even a Klingon really wanted to know the day of his own death.
Assignment: Eternity ii. 24
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1999
Michael Jan Friedman
bibliography
He glanced at the base of the memorial spire, where the names of the Klingons’ victims were inscribed.
My Brother’s Keeper . ii. 19
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1999
George Zebrowski
Charles Pellegrino
bibliography
The natural universe, as every Klingon knew, was itself a fearful antagonist.
Star Trek Next Generation: Dyson Sphere ii. 29
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2000 Linguistics & Science Fiction Jan. (unpaged)
While ViA’s device cannot translate Klingon to Romulan, it does interpret seven other languages.
Research requirements
antedating 1967
Earliest cite
G. L. Coon, Star Trek episode 'Errand of Mercy'
Research History
New Entry in the OED in September 2003, with earliest dates of: 1968 (race), 1985 (language), 1968 (adjective)
Last modified 2021-09-11 13:02:30
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.