Kemo Sabe stumper

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Kemo Sabe was the name Tonto called the Lone Ranger in the 1950's or 60's tv. show; what do these words mean in Navajo?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 16, 2002

Answers

According to the greeting card they mean 'horse's rear end'

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), February 16, 2002.

The greeting card might be cute, but it is not correct.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 16, 2002.

Mitch, I did a web search for the answer, but as you don't like quick web searched responses, I won't reveal the results. Just let me say that the HUGE variety of so-called translations are truly funny. Everybody seems to have a cute idea on this one!

By the way, my answer on the Star Trek actors' other series was from my head, not the Net.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.


Just a wild guess, "My brother".

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), February 16, 2002.

Maut hei la kie kea hume um for those who speak navajo and a question for you - is the net screwed up this morning or ismy puter on acid?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 16, 2002.


It means trusty scout

-- Bob (snuffy@1st.net), February 16, 2002.

Faithful friend

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

This question came from some of my earliest research for the stumpers and was not ran through a search engine. There seems to be no solid answer, in Navajo it means soggy shrub; Tonto is apparently not Navajo but from a Native American nation near the great lakes so without a solid answer about all I can do is declare this one a dud.

New question: What is the most often use of the Ylang Ylang bush/tree found in Malayanian area only?

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 16, 2002.


Would the Ylang Ylang tree be used mostly for tea?

-- Laura (Ladybugwrangler@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

potpouri (sp?)???

-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), February 16, 2002.


I asked an Elder what Kemo Sabbie meant in Chippawa ,, white warrior/soldier

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 16, 2002.

Ylang Ylang is used in the West predominantly as a fragrance -- for soap, perfume, etc. However, in Asia, I believe it is considered an amphrodesiac.

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

Correct its a perfume base and I do not know how to pronounce it.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 16, 2002.

Just for your interest, Mitch. Tonto (real name Jay Silverheels) was born and raised on the 6 Nations reserve near Brantford, Ont. Canada near the great lakes. I believe he was Mohawk. Don't know if Kemo Sabe is a Mohawk word or not. Tomas in bc

-- Tomas (bakerzee@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

I was told by my college Spanish professor that the whole "Tanto" and "Kemo Sabe" thing was a running gag. Apparently in Spanish "Tanto" means 'stupid' while "Kemo Sabe" was really "Que no sabe" meaning 'he who knows nothing.' Check it out!

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 16, 2002.


Khemo -- to know, or understand Sabe -- nothing

In other words, Tonto was saying "I'm with Stupid"

Come to that, Tonto is also slang for 'Stupid'.

-- Running Shoes (globaltraveler@blueplanet.net), February 18, 2002.


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