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Uruk-hai

2021-08-22T19:49:32Z

188.114.110.153:

{{cleanup}}{{people infobox
| name=Uruk-hai
| image=[[File:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|The Uruk-hai]]" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Great Orcs, Uruks
| origin=Bred by [[Sauron]] (and later [[Saruman]]) in the late [[Third Age]]
| location=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Saruman]]
| rivalry=
| language=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| members=[[Uglúk]], [[Mauhúr]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=Large build; better resistance to sunlight; faster, stronger, and smarter than other Orcs
| height=Shorter than [[Men]]
| hair=
| skin=Black
| clothing=
| weapons=Short, broad-bladed swords, shields, bows of yew, knives
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]] in ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Riders of Rohan]]"}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though they were still shorter than Men.

The Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the Red Eye of [[Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands.
They were long-armed and crook-legged.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an ''S'' [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat.

==History==
[[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil".

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength", first appeared out of [[Mordor]] in the last years of the [[Ruling Stewards|Stewardship]] of [[Denethor I]]. In {{TA|2475}} they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]], but they were defeated by Steward [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]] later.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> The following years, [[Orcs of Mordor]] and Uruks continued to infest Ithilien, further deserting it by {{TA|2901}}.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>

Some Uruks were secretly in the service of [[Saruman]] and were seen among the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] who raided [[Rohan]].<ref>{{App|Mark}}</ref>

In the [[War of the Ring]], these Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these Uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman in the war.
[[File:Darek Zabrocki - Orc Assault.jpg|thumb|''Orc Assault'' by [[:Category:Images by Darek Zabrocki|Darek Zabrocki]]]]
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|Mannish]] enemies of [[Rohan]]. Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs {{fact}}. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name ''Uruk-hai'' has the element '''''uruk''''', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning "Orc".<ref>{{App|F1iv}}</ref><ref name=WJAC>{{WJ|AC}}, pp. 389-91</ref><ref name=L144>{{L|144}}</ref><ref name=PE17_47>{{PE|17}}, p. 47</ref> (For related words in other languages, see [[Orcs#Orcs in Tolkien's languages|Orcs in Tolkien's languages]].) The element ''[[hai|-hai]]'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]] and [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identically as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:War in Middle Earth - Orcs and Uruk-hai at Isengard.png|thumb|Uruk-hai at Isengard in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'']]
:The Uruk-hai are portrayed as figures with purple armor and a shield.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''

:In [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on an early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men". This is presumably a reference to the [[Goblin-men]] and [[Half-orcs]] in Saruman's service, creatures that blend the traits of Orcs and Men. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

:His Uruks included Pikemen, Swordsmen, Archers, and [[Berserker|Berserkers]]. The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armour in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikemen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry [[crossbows]]. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

:The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, e.g. in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges more than the Orcs, e.g. the Orcs demanded to eat the Hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

'''2002: ''[[EA's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies in the "Battle of Helm's Deep" and "Fangorn Forest" missions, retaining the movie appearance.

[[File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Uruk-hai.jpg|thumb|Uruk-hai in the cancelled video game ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]'']]
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Uruks become available after a storyline mission in which Saruman manages to perfect his creation.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Uruks compose most of the units of Isengard faction: swordsmen, pikemen, crossbowmen, in addition to Uruks operating siege engines are available, following the movie appearance.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Most of Uruk-hai units from the first game return with little if any changes in behavior.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Multiple Uruks are used by the Enemy in different parts of Middle-earth. In addition to White Hand Uruks, notable are the Angmar Uruks and the Black Uruks from Dol Guldur, all sporting a variety of different appearances. Players can play as Uruks as part of the "Monster Play" game option.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies during the Battle of Helm's Deep.

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Uruks replace the role of the lesser Orcs, making up the force stationed in Mordor.

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Black Speech words]]
[[Category:Uruk-hai| ]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Uruk-hai]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/orques/uruk-hai]]
[[fi:Uruk-hai]]

Hobbits

2021-08-22T18:29:11Z

188.114.110.153:

{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Hobbits|[[The Hobbit (disambiguation)]]}}{{people infobox
| name=Hobbits
| image=[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - A Long Expected Party.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Inger Edelfeldt - A Long Expected Party.jpg|A Long Expected Party]]" by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Banakil, Halflings, Holbytlan, Kuduk, Little People, Periannath
| origin=
| location=[[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| affiliation=[[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]]
| rivalry=
| language=[[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| members=[[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
| lifespan=c. 96<ref name="LOTRProjectStats">{{webcite|author=Emil Johansson|articleurl=http://lotrproject.com/statistics/#lifeexpectancy|articlename=Lord of the Rings in Statistics|website=[http://lotrproject.com/ Lord of the Rings Project]|accessed=09-September-2012}}</ref>
| distinctions=[[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminutive stature, furry feet
| height=2-4 ft or 0.6-1.2 m (often less than three feet in later days)
| hair=Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| skin=White
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[An Unexpected Party]]"}}
'''Hobbits''' were a small race that typically dwelt underground, believed to be related to [[Men]]. They played little role in history, save during the [[War of the Ring]].

==Description and culture==
{{quote|There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly [[Eriador|West]]. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.|[[Thorin Oakenshield]] in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[The Return Journey]]"}}

Hobbits were between three to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches (some seldom exceeded 3<ref name=atani>{{PM|Atani}}</ref>), with short legs, slightly pointed ears<ref>{{L|27}}</ref> and furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. Compared to the [[Dwarves]] they are a bit shorter and less stout or stocky. Early in their recorded history, Hobbits were divided in three kinds with different customs and temperament. The '''[[Stoors]]''' grew facial hair and had an affinity for water, boats and swimming and wore boots; the '''[[Fallohides]]''' were fair, tall and slim, an adventurous people, friendlier and more open to outsiders. Finally, the '''[[Harfoots]]''' were the most numerous and instituted the living in burrows. In later days the Harfoot traits became the "norm".

Hobbits had a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-[[Númenórean]] descent, averaging between 90 and 100 years. The time at which a young hobbit "came of age" was 33.<ref name=FRI1>{{FR|I1}}</ref> The two oldest-living recorded hobbits (except [[Gollum]]) were The [[Gerontius Took|Old Took]] (who reached the age of 130) and [[Bilbo Baggins]] (who surpassed him at 131).

By nature they were of gentle disposition, neither cruel nor vindictive.<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #55</ref> Slow to quarrel, they never had been warlike, and never fought among themselves, nor hunted for sport; by the late Third Age the Shire-hobbits knew of weapons only as trophies or useless trinkets. However they were skilled with all kind of tools, as well as arms when there was a need; they were keen-eyed and used the bow well, and also the stones, successfully throwed against trespassing beasts.

Throughout their history Hobbits had showed unparalleled skill, courage and also endurance and resistance in times of danger and terror. During their [[Wandering Days]] Hobbits demonstrated an easiness to adapt to the environments they visited and adopted the customs and languages of the peoples they were in contact with. In the Shire, they had settled with a closed and comfort-loving lifestyle; they were fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, smoking [[pipe-weed]], socializing and talking about genealogies. Hobbits also liked to drink ale in inns, and ate at least six meals a day when they could get them. Every [[Highday]] and after noon, Hobbits celebrated a small holiday with evening feasts. <ref name=cal>{{App|Calendars}}</ref>

However, their hidden potentials resurfaced in difficult times; in the [[Long Winter]], [[Gandalf]] admired their uncomplaining courage and pity for one another, thanks to which they survived.<ref>{{UT|Erebor}}</ref> Another example of Hobbitish hardiness and resistant nature, was [[Gollum]], who despite using [[the One Ring]] for years, did not transform into a [[Wraiths|Wraith]] under the Ring's evil power (unlike the [[Nazgûl|nine Mannish Kings]]).<ref>
{{webcite|author=Stan Brown|website=FAQ of the Rings|articleurl=http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/ringfaq.htm#Q1-GollumWraith |articlename=Why hadn’t Gollum turned into a wraith long ago?}}</ref> These surprising Hobbit traits also were tested and proven during the [[Quest of Erebor]] and, most notably, the [[War of the Ring]].

===Clans and families===
Hobbits were universally monogamous and "[[Wikipedia:Patrilineality|patrilinear]]" (family names descended in the male-line) and normally the titular family head was the eldest male, but his wife had an equal, but separate status. In the large powerful families (such as the [[Took Family|Tooks]]) the head of what we would call a clan was the eldest male of the most direct line of descent. If the master died first his titular headship of the clan was taken by his wife and, only after her death, by their son.

Chieftains and leaders of their clans and tribes were typically of Fallohide kind, as they were by nature more adventurous.

The custom in the "younger" families was that when the head had no male heir, the headship passed to the daughter's eldest son. In such cases the heir took the name of his mother’s family while retaining the father’s family name in second place; this was the case with [[Otho Sackville-Baggins]], who obtained headship of the Sackvilles through his mother [[Camellia Sackville|Camellia]].<ref name=L214/>

===Gift-giving===
The Hobbits generally exchanged gifts as a form of "payment" for services but also of thanksgiving in favors and friendships. According to an ancient custom, a hobbit baby, shortly after birth and its name-announcement, was given a gift by the head of the family, as a token of accepting it into the family (on the rare cases of adoptions, parents gave gifts to their new child). Gifts then became a means of recognizing family membership, and the head of the family ritually gave something, even if only a token ([[mathom]]), to a [[ribadyan|birthday celebrant]].

On its third birthday, a hobbit child gave presents to their parents, that typically was something that was personally found, or produced (made or grown). This may have been extended to other ages and relatives resulting to the celebrant both receiving and giving a gift. Birthdays had considerable social importance, and customs were regulated by fairly strict etiquette, usually reduced to formalities.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref>

==Origin==
[[File:Lidia Postma - Hobbits comparison.jpg|thumb|left|The three kinds of Hobbits. Arty by Lidia Postma]]
Hobbits were considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men were closely related to Hobbits, far more closely than Men were to either [[Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It was thus commonly assumed that Hobbits were among the Younger [[Children of Ilúvatar]] and were the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits had the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]].

It is supposed that Hobbits branched out from Men as a race in the [[Elder Days]], but they don't appear at all in the chronicles of the [[Elves]].<ref name=Concerning>{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref> Their exact origin is unknown but in their early days they could have been primitive and "savage".<ref name=atani/> Apparently they survived in [[Middle-earth]] for millennia far from importance and the knowledge of stronger races; they come into the records not earlier than the early [[Third Age]] where they were living in the [[Vales of Anduin]] in [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of mankind. While they stayed there, the [[Northmen]] knew them. Their descendants, the [[Rohirrim]], had that memory of the ''[[holbytla]]n'' and they remained an object of lore until they contacted them during the War of the Ring. Many old words and names in "[[Hobbitish]]" are cognates of words in [[Rohirric]], so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation ([[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''[[Old Words and Names in the Shire]]'').

==History==

[[File:Robin Wood - Mathom lore.jpg|thumb|''Mathom lore'' by Robin Wood]]
While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the Northmen. Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they were uneasy because of the growing numbers of [[Easterlings|alien men]] from the [[East]] who passed the [[Greenwood]] and harassed the Northmen and no doubt they also sensed the rising [[Shadow]] of [[Dol Guldur]].<ref name=atani/> They took the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]], beginning thus their '''[[Wandering Days]]'''. Some of the Stoors, however, returned to that place, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later.

The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, and eventually they came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the [[Weather Hills]]. Along the way they founded many settlements (most of them disappeared and were forgotten), and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age.

In the year {{TA|1601}}, two Fallohide brothers decided to cross the River Brandywine and settle on the other side. Large numbers of Hobbits followed them, and most of their former territory was depopulated. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Hobbits became first famous and a renowned part of the wider history during the [[Quest of Erebor]] ([[Bilbo Baggins]] was the first ever famous Hobbit) and later during the [[War of the Ring]]. In the later [[Ages]] they have dwindled and their numbers have diminished and although they still linger in the North-west of the Old World, they are rarely seen; they avoid the [[Big Folk]] with dismay, using their art of disappearing.<ref name=Concerning/>

==Some well-known Hobbits==
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Frodo and Bilbo.jpg|thumb|''Frodo and Bilbo'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
* [[Bilbo Baggins]]
* [[Frodo Baggins]]
* [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise "Sam" Gamgee]]
* [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]]
* [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]]
* [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger]]
* [[Otho Sackville-Baggins|Otho]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]
* [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins]]
* [[Gerontius Took|Old Took]]
* [[Bandobras Took|Bullroarer Took]]
* [[Sméagol]] (who became the creature [[Gollum]])
* [[Déagol]]

Though in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' it is mentioned that [[Gandalf]] "was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures," no female Hobbits are depicted in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s stories doing so; however Hobbit women do appear in his works, such as the formidable [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins]] and Sam's wife [[Rose Cotton|Rose Cotton]].

== Etymology ==
:''This section explains the fictional etymology of the word in the linguistic context of Middle-earth; for the actual origin of the word see the section [[#Inspiration]] below''.
''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''[[holbytla]]'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 144</ref> In a letter, Tolkien commented on the pronounciation of the word ''hobbit'': "I am sure many hobbits drop their ''h''s like most rural folk in England".<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Alina Dadlez (19 September 1962)]]" (letter); quoted in {{CG|RG}}, p. 1036</ref>

The relationship hobbit/holbytla parallels the original [[Westron]] ''[[Kuduk]]'' (Hobbit), derived from the actual Rohirric ''[[kûd-dûkan]]'' (holbytla, hole dweller). This name obviously derives from the times when the hobbits lived at the [[Vales of Anduin]] with the [[Northmen]].<ref name="Road">{{TT|III8}}</ref><ref name="Translation">{{App|F2}}</ref>

Hobbits were also called ''[[Halflings]]'' by the [[Dúnedain]], first when they still measured 2 [[ranga]]r tall; twice as high as a hobbit who would reach only 1 ranga. The word retained even when the later generations of Dúnedain became shorter. However, the term is slightly offensive to Hobbits, as to themselves they are not 'half' of anything, and certainly do not use the term to refer to themselves.{{fact}}

''Halfling'' represents a translation of [[Westron]] ''[[banakil]]''. In [[Quenya]] the word is ''[[perian|Perian(d-)]]'' pl. ''Periandi''<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/856-most_expensive_Tolkien_book_in_the_world.php|articlename=Most expensive Tolkien bok in the world|website=[http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/index.php TolkienLibrary.com]}}, dedication to [[Elaine Griffiths]]</ref> and in [[Sindarin]] ''[[Perian]]'' pl. ''Periannath''.<ref>{{RK|Cormallen}}</ref>

*''See also: [[Wikipedia:Hobbit (word)]]''

==Inspiration==
{{quote|I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size). I like gardens, trees and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food [...]; I like, and even dare to wear in these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of mushrooms (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humour [...]; I go to bed late and get up late [...]. I do not travel much.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]|[[Letter 213]]}}

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: the word was obviously constructed meaningless as a spontaneous inspiration, without prior intent, but it would have been natural for him to see in it the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''[[hobgoblin]]'', ''hobbledehoy'' and ''hobyah''). However this prefix dates back "only" to the 13th century, too late by Tolkien's standards; thence when later he began to work out the language relations further (see: [[Mannish]]) he decided that it could be a derived form of an [[Old English]] word such as ''[[holbytla]]''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' came first, and then he decided to write ''[[The Hobbit]]'' around it. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a blank piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the rest of the story sprang from that.<ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'', p.172</ref> The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

It was revealed recently that the word pre-dated Tolkien's usage, though with a different meaning).<ref name="annot">{{HM|AH}}</ref> Tolkien's concept of hobbits, in turn, seems to have been inspired by Edward Wyke Smith's 1927 children's book ''[[Wikipedia:The Marvellous Land of Snergs|The Marvellous Land of Snergs]]'', and by Sinclair Lewis's 1922 novel ''[[Wikipedia:Babbitt (novel)|Babbitt]]''. Tolkien wrote to [[W.H. Auden]] that ''The Marvellous Land of Snergs'' "was probably an unconscious source-book for the Hobbits"<ref name=annot/> and he told an interviewer that the word ''hobbit'' "might have been associated with Sinclair Lewis's ''Babbitt''" who enjoys the comforts of his home.

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "[[Wikipedia:Denham Tracts|list of spirits]]" by Michael Denham, which includes several repetitions. There is no evidence to suggest Tolkien used this as a source — indeed he spent many years trying to find out whether he really did coin the word. Denham's "hobbit spirits" (which are never referenced anywhere except in the long list) have no obvious relation to Tolkien's Hobbits, other than the name (which may possibly imply hob- "small"): Tolkien's Hobbits are small humans, not spirits. Nonetheless, some few people have suggested that the reference in the Denham list should invalidate the trademark.

== In popular usage ==
"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the [[Middle-earth Enterprises]], as some of names, places and artifacts included in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. For this reason [[Dungeons and Dragons]] and other fantasy tend to refer to Hobbits and Hobbit-like races rather as '''Halflings''' (''hin'' in the Mystara universe, ''hurthlings'' in Ancient Domains of Mystery).

''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_floresiensis Homo floresiensis]'', a possible species in the genus Homo (thus, related to humans) discovered in 2004, has been informally dubbed a "hobbit" by its discoverers due to its small size.

[[Tolkien fandom|Fans]] have noted that in depictions and adaptations such as [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]], Hobbits are shown with unusually large feet, a conception probably influenced by the widespread art of [[the Brothers Hildebrandt]]. However, Tolkien himself never mentioned that large feet was a general feature of Hobbits.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_printable;post=365823;guest=38267446|articlename=Big Feet|dated=|website=[http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?guest=35804230 The One Ring Forums]|accessed=2 September 2012}}</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]