The Picard Maneuver@lemmy.world to Lord of the memes@midwest.socialEnglish · 1 year agoTolkien wasn't always the most creative with names.lemmy.worldexternal-linkmessage-square7fedilinkarrow-up111arrow-down11
arrow-up110arrow-down1external-linkTolkien wasn't always the most creative with names.lemmy.worldThe Picard Maneuver@lemmy.world to Lord of the memes@midwest.socialEnglish · 1 year agomessage-square7fedilink
minus-squareyggdar@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up0·1 year 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-up0·1 year 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.