The Picard Maneuver@lemmy.world to Lord of the memes@midwest.socialEnglish · 3 months agoTolkien wasn't always the most creative with names.lemmy.worldimagemessage-square7fedilinkarrow-up17arrow-down10
arrow-up17arrow-down1imageTolkien wasn't always the most creative with names.lemmy.worldThe Picard Maneuver@lemmy.world to Lord of the memes@midwest.socialEnglish · 3 months agomessage-square7fedilink
minus-squareyggdar@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up0·3 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-squareAkasazh@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up0·3 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.
Olifant is what they are called in Dutch, so it is likely is something like that in south African, where Tolkien was born.