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However it's possible that it derives from a form of [[Northern Mannish]] and later used in [[Rohirric]]. Since [[Gondorians]] of the [[Third Age]] were in part [[Northmen]], the word was recognisable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 781</ref>
However it's possible that it derives from a form of [[Northern Mannish]] and later used in [[Rohirric]]. Since [[Gondorians]] of the [[Third Age]] were in part [[Northmen]], the word was recognisable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 781</ref>
In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "Yule(night), i.e. Log-night" is ''durufui''. ''Tanfui'' means "Yule night".<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 31, 69</ref>
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[[Category:Hobbit Calendar]]
[[Category:Hobbit Calendar]]

Revision as of 09:14, 3 July 2011

Two days in the calendars of the Hobbits that marked the end of one year, and the beginning of the next. On a modern calendar, they fell on the 21 and 22 December3. Around them, the six-day festival of Yuletide was held, running from 29 Foreyule to 2 Afteryule.

Due to a peculiarity of the Shire Calendar, the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a Highday (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a Sterday (Saturday).

The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of the Shire in T.A. 1601. However, its appearance there represents a survival of an older tradition, and the name 'Yule' for a midwinter festival was known as far from the Shire as Rohan and Gondor.

Etymology

Yule is a translation of a Hobbitish word, not occurring in Westron.[1]

However it's possible that it derives from a form of Northern Mannish and later used in Rohirric. Since Gondorians of the Third Age were in part Northmen, the word was recognisable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.[1]

In Gnomish, one of Tolkien's early conceptions of an Elven language, the word for "Yule(night), i.e. Log-night" is durufui. Tanfui means "Yule night".[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 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. 781
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), pp. 31, 69