Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Hobbits

2010-02-12T15:25:24Z

69.58.60.2: /* Description */

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''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]].

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind.

==History==
At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, 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. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' due to their small stature. 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.

In [[Sindarin]] the word for Hobbit is ''perian'' pl. ''periannath'' which is a translation of "halfling"

''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.

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]].

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed meaningless, without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). 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 connected it to ''hol-butla''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books 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).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "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", see below): 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.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[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.

[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]
GUCCI

Hobbits

2010-02-12T15:24:04Z

69.58.60.2: /* Description */

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''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==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall,not including parker williams... the average height being 3 feet 6 inches,or in parkers case 3 feet 2 inches with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)
* Andrew Walters

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind.

==History==
At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, 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. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' due to their small stature. 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.

In [[Sindarin]] the word for Hobbit is ''perian'' pl. ''periannath'' which is a translation of "halfling"

''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.

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]].

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed meaningless, without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). 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 connected it to ''hol-butla''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books 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).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "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", see below): 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.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[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.

[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]
GUCCI

Hobbits

2010-02-12T15:23:17Z

69.58.60.2:

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''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==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)
* Andrew Walters

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind.

==History==
At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, 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. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' due to their small stature. 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.

In [[Sindarin]] the word for Hobbit is ''perian'' pl. ''periannath'' which is a translation of "halfling"

''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.

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]].

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed meaningless, without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). 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 connected it to ''hol-butla''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books 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).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "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", see below): 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.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[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.

[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]
GUCCI

Hobbits

2010-02-12T15:22:45Z

69.58.60.2: /* Description */

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''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==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)
* Andrew Walters

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind.

==History==
At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, 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. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' due to their small stature. 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.

In [[Sindarin]] the word for Hobbit is ''perian'' pl. ''periannath'' which is a translation of "halfling"

''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.

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]].

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed meaningless, without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). 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 connected it to ''hol-butla''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books 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).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "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", see below): 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.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[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.

[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]

Hobbits

2010-02-12T15:21:00Z

69.58.60.2: /* Some well-known Hobbits */

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''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==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind.

==History==
At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, 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. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' due to their small stature. 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.

In [[Sindarin]] the word for Hobbit is ''perian'' pl. ''periannath'' which is a translation of "halfling"

''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.

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]].

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed meaningless, without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). 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 connected it to ''hol-butla''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books 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).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "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", see below): 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.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[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.

[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]

Hobbits

2010-02-12T15:20:17Z

69.58.60.2: /* Some well-known Hobbits */

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''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==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind.

==History==
At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, 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. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.
==Some well-known Hobbits==
* [[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]]
* [[Old Took]]
* [[Bullroarer|Bullroarer Took]]
* [[Sméagol]] (who became the creature [[Gollum]])
* [[Déagol]]
* [[Parker Williams]]
John Bryer,husband to gavin

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 [[Rosie Cotton]].

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' due to their small stature. 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.

In [[Sindarin]] the word for Hobbit is ''perian'' pl. ''periannath'' which is a translation of "halfling"

''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.

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]].

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed meaningless, without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). 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 connected it to ''hol-butla''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books 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).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "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", see below): 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.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[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.

[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]

Hobbits

2010-02-12T15:14:12Z

69.58.60.2: /* Some well-known Hobbits */

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''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==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind.

==History==
At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, 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. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.
==Some well-known Hobbits==
* [[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]]
* [[Old Took]]
* [[Bullroarer|Bullroarer Took]]
* [[Sméagol]] (who became the creature [[Gollum]])
* [[Déagol]]
* [[Parker Williams]]

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 [[Rosie Cotton]].

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' due to their small stature. 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.

In [[Sindarin]] the word for Hobbit is ''perian'' pl. ''periannath'' which is a translation of "halfling"

''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.

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]].

Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed meaningless, without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). 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 connected it to ''hol-butla''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books 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).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "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", see below): 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.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[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.

[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]