I haven't found the reference for this question, but I will venture a guess, Squatter - is it referring to the creation of languages?

I'm afraid not, Esty. It's nice to see that this thread has stopped vegetating, though.

...or does Tolkien mean his book, LotR or perhaps the Silmarillion?

Cease this wild guesswork! He's not talking about his writing or his languages.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:47 AM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Are you willing to give a tiny clue to reward me for at least attempting? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

I already did, two posts ago (22nd January).

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:55 AM January 23, 2004: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Taken from "Tree and Leaf"(1964)

More specifically from On Fairy-stories. The answer is, of course, an elm-tree; being a satirical reversal of claims of 'escapism'. Well remembered.

Thank you.

Give the explanation Tolkien gives to why Hobbits are small in size.

Well, one does need to have a habit of reading small print to find that answer! (...or the idea of looking through the very excellent index to Tolkien's Letters... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) Here's what he says: (PS - Mariska, I'm looking forward to a new 'minor works' question...)

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:12 AM February 03, 2004: Message edited by: Estelyn Telcontar ]

That's the correct answer of course.

ps: I'll post a new minor work question right away...

Which Canadian collaborated with Tolkien on several of his scholarly works and which not so serious endeavour did they begin together?

E.V. Gordon, his collaborator in compiling an edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Together they began the Viking Club for undergraduates, the main activities of which appear to have been drinking beer, reading sagas and singing comic songs.

That's the right person, Squatter - go ahead with a new one!

Who was 'Jo'?

"Jo" was the first car Tolkien bought(in 1932), it was a Morris Cowley, and it was named "Jo" because the that were the first two letters of the license plate.

You're absolutely right, Mariska. Let's have another one.

Thanks!

What is T.C.B.S., what was it's vision, and to what did it lead?

T.C.B.S. was the Tea Club and Barrovian Society (the latter name could apply to this forum! ;) ); it was started to exchange opinions on literature and to do readings (I couldn't find a reference to a specific vision in the books I checked); and it led to a theater performance of Sheridan's The Rivals, in which JRRT played Mrs Malaprop!! Wouldn't that have been a sight?! :eek:

You're absolutely right, Ghosted Princess!:)

Late in life Tolkien was swamped with fan mail while he wanted to finish the Silmarillion. Who became his part-time secretary and assistant and who gave that person the assignment?

out of the top of my head - probably Carpenter and probably Auden?

No and no, HI - try again! Carpenter was his biographer, but not secretary, and Auden was neither.

hum...

I have a vague feeling I must know the answer, it just keeps haunting the cusps of my memory, but I can not get hold of it.

Neither one, you say?

Well, it must wait till I get anywhere near my bookshelf, than :)

Here's a clue for this question - maybe that will help get the search for the answer started again! The person is a woman - since Tolkien didn't have many female acquaintances, that should make it easier.

Tolkien's secretary
 

Esty,

You must mean Joy Hill. She dealt with Tolkien's fan mail, and I think she was assigned to the job by the folk at Allen & Unwin. Sometimes she came down in person to Bournemouth.

I remember her name for another reason. When Hill was putting Tolkien's library in order, she found the poem Bilbo's Last Song written in an exercise book. It had apparently been "lost". In gratitude, Tolkien presented the poem to her, with its copyright, on 3 September 1970. In 1974, after Tolkien's death, both Houghton Mifflin and Allen & Unwin printed up a poster with this poem that was printed over a picture of a river scene. These were copyrighted under Hill's name and are technically "first editions". I have one of these posters hanging in my house because I love the poem. I also have the jigsaw puzzle of this same scene that came out two years later in the U.S. (I know.....I know....I'm hopelessly "addicted".)

Sorry for that digression. Now let's hope I have the right person!

That's the right answer, Child, and thanks for the additional information!! Lucky you, to have such a wonderful collectible! Do you know if that poem has been published recently enough to be found in bookstores somewhere?

Esty,

Yes, it's definitely available in bookstores. Or if you can't find it there, look on e-bay. It only costs $8-12 and the illustrations are quite nice, since they are done by Pauline Baynes.

Let's see now.....another question..... Here's one of mythic proportions.

Shopkeepers who dealt with the elderly Professor Tolkien sometimes received what surprise in their hand?

haha, this is funny!
He surprised shopkeepers by displaying his extra set of false teeth amidst the handful of change he held out to them.

Absolutely right, Mariska! The professor must have had a strain of hobbitish blood. I can not imagine an Elf or Man doing this....

Please continue with your question.

Thanks.

Well, we do know that Tolkien was a very funny person, and didn't take himself too serious, so this is my next question:

He once participated in a swimming contest. What was so funny about that?

Do you need a hint?
:smokin:

(Just gave one...)

Did he swim with his hat on? (I've paged through the biography, trying unsuccessfully to find a reference, so this is only a guess. I'm assuming that :smokin: was the clue...) Should that be the right answer, please do tell more about it!

the :smokin: was indeed the clue.
Tolkien once participated in a swimming contest while wearing a Panama hat and smoking his pipe. Imagine that!

I got this from Tolkien's biography by Professor Ralph C. Wood.

back to you Estelyn.:)

This brief poem is admittedly not one of Tolkien's most brilliant works ;) ; but it was his reaction to criticism on what?

I believe it's about the criticism on Lord of the Rings in general, or is it more specific?

The Lord of the Rings
is one of those things:
if you like you do:
if you don't, then you boo!

That's the right answer, Mariska - your turn to post a new question.

Tolkien referred to someone as an "Olympian". Who was this person?

Hint needed?

Yes, please - I have been thinking about this, but have no idea where to start looking...