Heathertoes Family: Difference between revisions
m (Added references) |
|||
| (3 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Heathertoes''' was one of the strange botanical names preferred by the people of [[Bree]]. | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
While ''heather'' is an element that appears in English real-life surnames, Heathertoes has no parallel in English. | While ''heather'' is an element that appears in English real-life surnames, Heathertoes has no parallel in English. | ||
Tolkien suggested that the name refers to a joke of the [[Big Folk]] for the [[Little Folk]], who walked bootless and collected heather, twigs and leaves between their toes.<ref> | Tolkien suggested that the name refers to a joke of the [[Big Folk]] for the [[Little Folk]], who walked bootless and collected heather, twigs and leaves between their toes.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 759</ref> | ||
==Men or Hobbits?== | ==Men or Hobbits?== | ||
The narrative of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' doesn't make clear if the family was of [[Men of Bree|Men]] or of [[Hobbits]]. The above etymology suggests that it was a name given to Hobbits by Men. | The narrative of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' doesn't make clear if the family was of [[Men of Bree|Men]] or of [[Hobbits]]. The above etymology suggests that it was a name given to Hobbits by Men. | ||
However in the narrative the name is listed among those used by the [[Men]], and [[Mat Heathertoes]], who is named as one of the casualties of Bree during fighting there, appears to be listed among Men rather than Hobbits. | However in the narrative the name is listed among those used by the [[Men]],<ref>{{FR|I9}}</ref> and [[Mat Heathertoes]], who is named as one of the casualties of Bree during fighting there, appears to be listed among Men rather than Hobbits.<ref>{{RK|VI7}}</ref> | ||
{{references}} | |||
[[Category:Bree-men]] | [[Category:Bree-men]] | ||
[[de:Malte Heidezehen]] | |||
[[fi:Vaiverovarvas]] | |||
Revision as of 04:39, 25 May 2012
Heathertoes was one of the strange botanical names preferred by the people of Bree.
Etymology
While heather is an element that appears in English real-life surnames, Heathertoes has no parallel in English.
Tolkien suggested that the name refers to a joke of the Big Folk for the Little Folk, who walked bootless and collected heather, twigs and leaves between their toes.[1]
Men or Hobbits?
The narrative of The Lord of the Rings doesn't make clear if the family was of Men or of Hobbits. The above etymology suggests that it was a name given to Hobbits by Men.
However in the narrative the name is listed among those used by the Men,[2] and Mat Heathertoes, who is named as one of the casualties of Bree during fighting there, appears to be listed among Men rather than Hobbits.[3]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 759
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Homeward Bound"
