The Picard Maneuver to Lord of the memes@midwest.socialEnglish · 9 months agoTolkien wasn't always the most creative with names.imagemessage-square29fedilinkarrow-up1647arrow-down114
arrow-up1633arrow-down1imageTolkien wasn't always the most creative with names.The Picard Maneuver to Lord of the memes@midwest.socialEnglish · 9 months agomessage-square29fedilink
minus-squareyggdarlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up51·9 months agoHe also called them mûmakil in elvish. In my mind, when the Hobbits call them oliphaunts it is because a long time ago someone talked about elephants, and over the years the correct pronunciation was lost.
minus-squaremaniacalmanicmania@aussie.zonelinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up51·9 months agoOther way around. Oliphants before elephants. When we call them elephants it’s because a long time ago someone talked about oliphants etc.
minus-squareAkasazhlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up7·9 months agoOlifant is what they are called in Dutch, so it is likely is something like that in south African, where Tolkien was born.
He also called them mûmakil in elvish. In my mind, when the Hobbits call them oliphaunts it is because a long time ago someone talked about elephants, and over the years the correct pronunciation was lost.
Other way around. Oliphants before elephants. When we call them elephants it’s because a long time ago someone talked about oliphants etc.
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*Oliphans
Olifant is what they are called in Dutch, so it is likely is something like that in south African, where Tolkien was born.