1. Kronos is not the technical name for the Klingons’ homeworld it is actually “Q’onoS”. However, the name was later changed or transliterated to the more widely known Kronos when adopted into the English lexicon.
2. Worf (TNG – played by Michael Dorn) was the first Klingon to serve in Starfleet –- before the Klingon Empire formed an alliance with the Federation, and while hostilities were still commonplace between the two factions. Impressive!
There is one caveat though…this fact only holds true if you ignore “Konom”; a character that was present in the Star Trek Comics Universe a full 3 years before the debut of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ and the on-screen introduction of Worf.
3. The language of Klingon was a last minute improvisation during filming of the first Star Trek film, by James Doohan (AKA “Scotty” the lead-engineer of the Enterprise) and the producer Jon Povil. As the third movie entered production, the language was refined by a professional linguist named Marc Okrand. [1]
“In the year 1979 he [James Doohan] invented a handful of Klingon words for the first Star Trek motion picture. These words were later used by Marc Okrand to develop the Klingon Language.”
-Klingon.wiki/En/JamesDoohan
4. In “Trials and Tribblations” an episode of DS9 (Deep Space Nine for the uninitiated) in which the crux of the plot is: Worf, Bashir, Odo, and O’Brien all travel back in time to an episode of Star Trek TOS (Trouble with Tribbles), approximate Stardate 4525.6. It is pointed out by the group that the Klingons aboard the space station are very dissimilar in appearance to Worf or any other contemporary Klingon. This is a bit of an in joke at the budgetary constraints and limitations in makeup / special FX in the 60s.
Based on this ep.,
So, it’s clearly canon that there was at one point a genetic offshoot of Klingons that lacked any forehead ridges. But the episode doesn’t dwell on it for any great length – so neither shall we.
5. In Star Trek III, captain Kirk (William Shatner) stole a Klingon war vessel known as a Bird-of-Prey. These spaceships are considered to be one of the more formidable ships in circulation – owing to their maneuverability and cloaking capabilities. Kirk renamed the ship the “HMS Bounty”; it was later put to good use by the crew of the Enterprise.
6. Speaking of the premier attack-ships of the Klingon Empire, did you know that a Bird-of-Prey actually has two classes? B’rel-class and the K’Vort-class; the first being a scout vessel and the second is considered a light cruiser.
7. Klingons have two hearts, three lungs, and well pretty much a backup for most any organ. They’re built with a lotta’ redundancies – just like how the Federation builds their starships. And don’t get me started on the genitals…
Seriously, this other dude already wrote about what’s going on “south of the border” when it comes to Klingons. Here’s a link:
https://www.slashfilm.com/1238524/yes-its-true-star-trek-klingons-have-two-of-uh-every-organ
When you’re finished searching that article for details on hypothetical alien genitalia – feel free to come back for a palette cleanser. I’ve still got 12 more random-ass facts about Klingons to go.
8. Qapla’ means “I wish you success or great fruits of labour.”. It is a Klingon word used sometimes as a farewell before trips and undertakings. There is contention among the writers and fans as to whether it is as common as saying “goodbye” or not. [2]
“his word is very often used by fans and also by authors in the meaning of “goodbye”. Although it has been used in such situations even onscreen, one should not use it as a farewell greeting. Its meaning “success” should always be taken literally. So if somebody leaves a place for a mission, you may wish them success, but they should definitely not answer the same word.
In addition, it makes no sense at all running around at a convention, greeting every Klingon with Qapla’.”
-Klingon.wiki
7. The language of Klingon is not called Klingon, that is simply an English approximation (like how Deutschland changes to Germany, or Elladia to Greece), the actual name is: “ThLIngan Hol”. Although, at one point it was referred to as Klingonese – which seems to have been a filler-name until Roddenberry found something better.
8. Klingons fiercest foes were finally revealed to be…Tribbles! Yes, the furry little things that reproduce exponentially fast were shown to be a natural predator and adversary of Klingons in an episode of Star Trek Picard – Season 3.
That “Attack Tribble” looked like a nasty bit of teeth, if you ask me.
9. The greatest romance in Klingon history was the love between Kahless and Lady Lukara, Kahless who slew Molar in one-on-one battle by the River Skrai with the first bat’leth blade ever forged.
Sources:
[1] Klingon.wiki/En/JamesDoohan
[2]https://klingon.wiki/Word/Qapla-
Definition o {Qapla’}
from the Klingon Language Wiki:
Retrieved 21 Nov 2024
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Author – Lee Fenton