Gaffer Gamgee: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Stephen Hickman - Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider.jpg|thumb|250px|''Gaffer Gamgee and the [[Black Riders|Black Rider]]'' by [[Stephen Hickman]].]] | |||
'''Gaffer Gamgee''' was a common nickname for the father of [[Samwise Gamgee]], who was more properly called '[[Hamfast Gamgee|Hamfast]]'. He presumably acquired the name '[[Gaffer]]' later in his life, because it implies a person of advanced years. This was certainly true of Hamfast, who was old enough to remember [[Bilbo]]'s return from [[Erebor]], and was no less than ninety-two years old when his son Sam left the [[Shire]] with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. | |||
'Gaffer' has another meaning, too, which is no doubt also relevant. In British slang, a 'gaffer' is a foreman, a person who supervises a job. At the time of [[Birthday Party|Bilbo's Birthday Party]], we're told that Hamfast, who was then seventy-five, oversaw the gardening at [[Bag End]], but was helped by his son Sam. In that sense, then, Gaffer Gamgee actually was a 'gaffer'. | 'Gaffer' has another meaning, too, which is no doubt also relevant. In British slang, a 'gaffer' is a foreman, a person who supervises a job. At the time of [[Birthday Party|Bilbo's Birthday Party]], we're told that Hamfast, who was then seventy-five, oversaw the gardening at [[Bag End]], but was helped by his son Sam. In that sense, then, Gaffer Gamgee actually was a 'gaffer'. | ||
Revision as of 02:04, 4 April 2006
Gaffer Gamgee was a common nickname for the father of Samwise Gamgee, who was more properly called 'Hamfast'. He presumably acquired the name 'Gaffer' later in his life, because it implies a person of advanced years. This was certainly true of Hamfast, who was old enough to remember Bilbo's return from Erebor, and was no less than ninety-two years old when his son Sam left the Shire with Frodo.
'Gaffer' has another meaning, too, which is no doubt also relevant. In British slang, a 'gaffer' is a foreman, a person who supervises a job. At the time of Bilbo's Birthday Party, we're told that Hamfast, who was then seventy-five, oversaw the gardening at Bag End, but was helped by his son Sam. In that sense, then, Gaffer Gamgee actually was a 'gaffer'.
