Marc Okrand - Downtown tour August 1 2016: For the “public” part, I’d go with tlhop "area in front". Something in front of something is visible, not hidden, not secluded, not secretive. Something 'em behind is visible only to those also behind (those who got into the area behind, as opposed to those who are left out in front). So in front tlhop is public, behind 'em is private.