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Klink?

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Hello,

Please forgive me for asking but why does everyone on Star Trek Online seem to refer to Klingons as Klinks?

I have watched a great deal of Star Trek but have largely ignored the other games and the novels/books.

I have researched this online and try as I might I can't seem to find a reference to 'Klink' anywhere but on Star Trek Online!

The ONLY reference I can find is on Urban Dictionary which claims 'Klink' is a derogatory term to describe Klingons. If this is the case, why is it allowed or condoned?

Not trying to start a war here (or end one, either) but I am highly curious as to why this name came about. Any ideas?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Yeah, we should ban a derogatory term for a fictional race. If you don't like the term, then don't use it. In an era where "2" is used to replace the oh so long word "to", "Klink" is quicker to type out than "Klingon". I suspect that's where most of the usage comes from.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Haglahay wrote:
    Yeah, we should ban a derogatory term for a fictional race. If you don't like the term, then don't use it. In an era where "2" is used to replace the oh so long word "to", "Klink" is quicker to type out than "Klingon". I suspect that's where most of the usage comes from.

    With all due respect, I never intended to say I either like or dislike the term :)

    Personally, I try to spell out words and sentences properly as any Starfleet officer would do; granted, as a human I am prone to mistake and error myself time to time.

    It is possible that 'Klink' is just a short form that made it into common use in Star Trek Online. I was just curious if there was a deeper explanation to it. Perhaps something laid out in the novels that I missed or an early reference in TOS (as i'm not so familiar with TOS).
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Klink and Fed are just easier to type. This is especially true for people who post from phones or pads rather then from computers.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    dean1012 wrote: »

    Personally, I try to spell out words and sentences properly

    Same here- even online I hate using too much shorthand.

    I was just curious if there was a deeper explanation to it. Perhaps something laid out in the novels that I missed or an early reference in TOS (as i'm not so familiar with TOS).

    I'm not sure either, to be honest. I used to read ST novels a long time ago, but I don't remember any particular reason for the term.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    I always wondered that too. I thought it was stupid and personally I just say KDF or Klingon lol...

    People always have to make up words for something though...:rolleyes:

    If you can get JLP or Number 1 to use "Kink" in context, then well, I'd prob laugh my TRIBBLE off. (or to hear Data/B4 say he cannot find the word 'Klink' in any of his databases) hahahaha

    Oooh wait. Let's get Shatner to say he plays a Klink in a STO commercial, kinda like the WoW ones with Mr.T and Norris.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    dean1012 wrote: »
    Hello,

    Please forgive me for asking but why does everyone on Star Trek Online seem to refer to Klingons as Klinks?

    I have watched a great deal of Star Trek but have largely ignored the other games and the novels/books.

    I have researched this online and try as I might I can't seem to find a reference to 'Klink' anywhere but on Star Trek Online!

    The ONLY reference I can find is on Urban Dictionary which claims 'Klink' is a derogatory term to describe Klingons. If this is the case, why is it allowed or condoned?

    Not trying to start a war here (or end one, either) but I am highly curious as to why this name came about. Any ideas?

    Thats why we own it and make it ours, thus reversing the deragatory use of it for songs and social media.

    WAZZUP MY KLINKS!!!!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    STF65 wrote:
    Klink and Fed are just easier to type. This is especially true for people who post from phones or pads rather then from computers.

    Ok, so it seems it is more of a short form then.

    My question to the public is now: Why not KDF instead of Klink? it is a full two letters shorter than Klink and four letters shorter than Klingon.

    If I feel the need to shorten Klingon during my discussions, I usually use the term KDF (or, conversely, UFP).

    Of course, the argument could be made that not all Klingons are a member of the KDF. However, for all intents and purposes of the game, every Klingon worth mentioning (that is, the players) is either a member of the KDF or a direct part of the KDF.

    Conversely, none of us play Federation civilians either.

    If 'Klink' is the accepted short form, so be it. However, if we're going to be lazy, we might as well go with the shortest form possible.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    STF65 wrote:
    Klink and Fed are just easier to type. This is especially true for people who post from phones or pads rather then from computers.

    Bologna with sauce!

    Klink is 5 letters, Klingon is 7, you already typed more then half the word, you might as well finish it off and type the last 2 letters. LOL
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    dean1012 wrote: »
    Hello,

    Please forgive me for asking but why does everyone on Star Trek Online seem to refer to Klingons as Klinks?

    I have watched a great deal of Star Trek but have largely ignored the other games and the novels/books.

    I have researched this online and try as I might I can't seem to find a reference to 'Klink' anywhere but on Star Trek Online!

    The ONLY reference I can find is on Urban Dictionary which claims 'Klink' is a derogatory term to describe Klingons. If this is the case, why is it allowed or condoned?

    Not trying to start a war here (or end one, either) but I am highly curious as to why this name came about. Any ideas?

    Not sure about the origins...but it could be worse...peole could start calling them "Cling Ons". :o
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Haglahay wrote:
    Yeah, we should ban a derogatory term for a fictional race. If you don't like the term, then don't use it. In an era where "2" is used to replace the oh so long word "to", "Klink" is quicker to type out than "Klingon". I suspect that's where most of the usage comes from.

    Makes sense. People probably use it for the same reasons that they use toon over character, Ugghhh, I can't even say toon without feeling nauseous.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Who the hell said it was a "derogatory" term?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    For some reason I thought this was going to be about Col. Klink on "Hogan's Heroes". Oh well. My age is showing. My apologies.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    For some reason I thought this was going to be about Col. Klink on "Hogan's Heroes". Oh well. My age is showing. My apologies.

    One of my KDF toons is named "Col. Klink".:D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    I usually use "fed" and "kdf" myself. If I refer to Klingons, I usually just type Klingons.


    But that's just me. I personally don't care what other people do. :p
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    On a qwerty keyboard k, l, i,and n are all relatively close together in a sort of triangle, but g is a bit further left.

    This combined with the inexhaustible human predilection to abbreviate and or nickname results in 'klink.'
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    On a qwerty keyboard k, l, i,and n are all relatively close together in a sort of triangle, but g is a bit further left.

    This combined with the inexhaustible human predilection to abbreviate and or nickname results in 'klink.'

    Oh, I can most definitely see that but there is one problem with that assessment. You only took the right hand in consideration.

    The 'g' is very easy to reach from the left hand.

    My point still stands though I do believe. If the goal is to shorten the name, anything less than 'KDF' will not suffice.

    Actually, I do apologize. 'kdf' would be more appropriate as you could avoid the press of the shift or the caps lock keys.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    I guess I better tell my Andorian tactical officer to stop calling me pink skin.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Amosov wrote:
    I guess I better tell my Andorian tactical officer to stop calling me pink skin.

    If I am to understand you correctly, I have no issues with a term being derogatory; particularly against a non-existent race. I brought it up in the original post because I wanted to point out the only reference I *did* find in my research (which was on Urban Dictionary).

    The truth is, we're at war with the Klingons (at least, last time I checked) and it is almost expected we might have derogatory terms for them (as they may even have for us).

    I just don't understand why 'klink'. If the goal is to have a short name, 'KDF' or 'kdf' would be the shortest, most clear and concise acronym to apply to the Klingon faction.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    "Klink" as shorthand for Klingons goes back over 25 years via Star Fleet Battles. (The term has been used in Task Force Games publications since the early 80s.)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    dean1012 wrote: »
    Oh, I can most definitely see that but there is one problem with that assessment. You only took the right hand in consideration.

    The 'g' is very easy to reach from the left hand.

    My point still stands though I do believe. If the goal is to shorten the name, anything less than 'KDF' will not suffice.

    Actually, I do apologize. 'kdf' would be more appropriate as you could avoid the press of the shift or the caps lock keys.

    You say Po-Tay-Toe..., I say Pa-Ta-Toe..., You say Ta-May-Toe..., I say Toe-Ma-Toe...

    ..and that is all it basically boils down to...

    Stop looking for a common sense reason for things on the Internetzz.

    ;)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Gym_Quirk wrote:
    "Klink" as shorthand for Klingons goes back over 25 years via Star Fleet Battles. (The term has been used in Task Force Games publications since the early 80s.)

    I see. Thank you very much. So it does go back to video games. Like I alluded to, I had no experience with those.

    It is odd that I can't find any direct reference in google for the term but it is nice to know it's origins.

    Case closed.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Star Fleet Battles was a pen and paper game (real RPGs - not video versions of them). I still have the Star Trek RPG rules books and such somewhere. I never really played it all that much though. My RPG friends wanted to play other games.

    Amendment: SFB was more of a ship to ship combat game than an RPG, but still fun.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    dean1012 wrote: »
    I see. Thank you very much. So it does go back to video games. Like I alluded to, I had no experience with those.

    It is odd that I can't find any direct reference in google for the term but it is nice to know it's origins.

    Case closed.

    Not video games, board games.

    Gym "Ah, memories of shoving cardboard counters around the hex map and doing energy allocation with those plastic sleeves and crayons..." Quirk
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Gym_Quirk wrote:
    Not video games, board games.

    Gym "Ah, memories of shoving cardboard counters around the hex map and doing energy allocation with those plastic sleeves and crayons..." Quirk

    Not me...

    Had Plastic Starships (hand-painted), Orange & Green String (for phasers and disrupter's) on a gymnasium floor, every-other Saturday morning.

    With about 11 other ner... umm.. ...guys.
    :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Hey! You can't use that word! That's our word!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    We call them Klinks because it is easier than calling them Klingons. It is the same reason we call StarFleet/Federation players Feds. Feds, Cardies (For Cardassians), Klinks, Rommies etc... It is called a "Nickname". Sometimes we call the Klinks Reds because their UI is all Red and we call the Feds Blues for the same reason.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Also, as to why not "KDF"... I did have a new player once ask me what "KDF" stood for or referred to. I guess KDF is not as intuitive as Klink.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    dean1012 wrote: »
    Hello,

    Please forgive me for asking but why does everyone on Star Trek Online seem to refer to Klingons as Klinks?

    I have watched a great deal of Star Trek but have largely ignored the other games and the novels/books.

    I have researched this online and try as I might I can't seem to find a reference to 'Klink' anywhere but on Star Trek Online!

    The ONLY reference I can find is on Urban Dictionary which claims 'Klink' is a derogatory term to describe Klingons. If this is the case, why is it allowed or condoned?

    Not trying to start a war here (or end one, either) but I am highly curious as to why this name came about. Any ideas?

    For me, it's a long tradition dating back to Star Fleet Battles. Klingons were Klinks (a reference to Colonel Klink from Hogan's Heroes) and the Federation were called "Fred." A in "a Fred battlecruiser," or "the Freds all fire their photorps."

    It's slang, and derogatory slang at that, and even though I find myself using Klink and Fred it raises interesting questions regarding the use of derogatory terms. In a nutshell, it purposely "others" the people you refer to it with, which in an MMO more or less refers to the players rather than the characters.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    DaveyNY wrote: »
    Not me...

    Had Plastic Starships (hand-painted), Orange & Green String (for phasers and disrupter's) on a gymnasium floor, every-other Saturday morning.

    With about 11 other ner... umm.. ...guys.
    :D

    "I hit you with honnert points uf plazzma. YOU DIE."

    Ah, memories! I sometimes wonder what SVC thinks of Star Trek Online, then I realize he probably doesn't give a Hydran's patootie about it. =D (Do Hydrans have patooties?)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited February 2012
    Latinumbar wrote:
    Also, as to why not "KDF"... I did have a new player once ask me what "KDF" stood for or referred to. I guess KDF is not as intuitive as Klink.

    Part of it is that the term is kind of dissonant with the idea of Klingons. 'Klingon Defense Force' doesn't quite sound right when you're talking about a warrior culture that sees defense in terms of 'Only a fool fights in a burning house.' Klingons do not defend, they attack! Komerex nel khesterex. But, that's the term we were given since in TNG, and after the events of STVI, the Klingons underwent something of a societal change. Something a bit more aggressive would be more suitable, but KDF is the term we've been given.
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