View source for Tode

'''Tode''' was a marshy location mentioned in the [[The Shire|Shire]]-poem ''[[The Mewlips]]''.<ref>{{AB|Mewlips}}</ref>

It is mentioned to be after a long road "beyond the [[Merlock Mountains]]", and "through the [[spider]]-shadows"; other than that it is unknown if Tode refers to an actual marsh in the [[Westlands]], or if it was just an invention by the poet. 

As the poem describes a location similar to [[Mirkwood]],<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Mewlips, the"</ref> it's possible that Tode refers to the [[Long Marshes]] at the end of the [[Old Forest Road]].<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Tode", p. 386</ref>
==Etymology==
''[[Wiktionary:tode#Middle English|tode]]'' is the Middle English spelling for a "[[frog|toad]]"; it was also a word with evil connotations, as the toad/frog was considered a demonic creature, according to Wiktionary (cf. abovementioned link). Furthermore, ''[[Wiktionary:Tode#German|Tode]]'' is also the [[Germanic|German]] word for "death". Although the two words are unrelated, and [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] didn't specifically explain his choice for the name, both explanations are fitting for an ominous swamp.
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[[Category:Swamps]]
[[fi:Touden räme]]