Of the Origins of Hobbits

[Thinlómien]

Do Hobrogs have wings?

[Bêthberry]

This discovery might shed more light on the disappearance of the hobbits by the Seventh Age. In their form as Hobrogs, or, as Mark 12_30 clearly argues, hobbrim, they could have been more suspectible to the degrations of the environment wrought by man in that terrible age and thus fell victim first to genetic mutation and thence likely to extinction had it not been for one fortunate event in the Third Age when two hobbits imbibed ent draught.

Through the ages, this growth hormone was said to produce a branch of hobbit which became known to themselves as the Hobentrog, otherwise called by men in the vernacular the common tree frog, arising from the failure of men to correctly identify the plural as Hobentrim.

[Celuien]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Through the ages, this growth hormone was said to produce a branch of hobbit which became known to themselves as the Hobentrog, otherwise called by men in the vernacular the common tree frog, arising from the failure of men to correctly identify the plural as Hobentrim.

That is a very interesting discovery, and I must say that I believe it is absolutely correct. I encountered one of the Hobentrim quite recently! While strolling through a lovely set of woods near my home, I came to the edge of a pond and noticed a large green and brown frog. As I approached, the frog did not flee, but rather, and I say this with complete certainty, it winked at me. While all frogs possess some intelligence, this seemed out of the ordinary for a typical frog. Few attempt to communicate with humans.

Now that I think of it, even the colors in which the frog, or as I should more properly say now, Hobentrog, appeared are evidence of its identity, since it is known that green and brown were the preferred colors for the original Hobrrim.

[Tuor of Gondolin]

And exactly what is the relationship of
burrahobbits to the hobrog (hobbrim)?

[Celuien]

Originally Posted by Tuor of Gondolin

And exactly what is the relationship of
burrahobbits to the hobrog (hobbrim)?

Well, the original burrahobbit was a Hobrog of great fame in the Shire. His nickname of "Mad Baggins" referred not only to his adventures with the dwarves, but also to his habit of disappearing for long periods of time which he spent with the Brandybuck Hobrogs. Evidence is found in that riding in barrels to Laketown, as he did, was a known Mirkwood Hobrog pasttime.

It is also said that Frodo's parents were Hobrogs, and that they did not die in a boating accident as generally believed by less informed Hobbits, but instead quietly slipped away to join their connections in the Brandywine Hobrog settlement.

As for this burrahobbit, I would not presume to speak for him.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The question of wings or not is certainly related to their possible necessity, due to the nature of the Hobrog's foes. In the tale of the Entish Bow (sorry, I haven't had time to find the exact location of that portion of lore) we read of Balfrogs, almost certainly enemies of the Hobrogs, and since they have wings, the Hobrogs would hardly be able to survive without them as well. Obviously, the changes in their nature throughout the many long years since then have lessened their flight capability, but there are still frogs that can jump great heights and distances. I'm sure those were once Balfrogs...

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Fascinating investigative research by Celuien ,
and one hinting at a vast hobrog conspiracy
involving Meriadoc B., Ted Sandyman- obviously a
hobrog covert agent involved in the Drogo/Primula
coverup-, and a secret hobrog base along the Withywindle
directed by Drogo and Primula.Who was MB signalling when
he induced his agent PT to drop a message wrapped around
a stone down a shaft in Moria to the water far below? What
was the ultimate agenda of hobrog MB when they seized
power in the Shire behind their dupe front man mayor SG?
Was Tom Bombadil, as rumor has it, a collaborator
waiting to seize power with the hobrogs when
(as they hoped) the Sauron/Western forces exhausted
each other?

[Celuien]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Do Hobrogs have wings?

Ah, now that is a most fascinating question which has puzzled the students of Hobrog lore since the discovery of this species was made. The answer, of course, is both yes and no. After all, both of the original scholars on the subject are of Elven origin.

It seems that there is room for considerable debate on the topic of Hobrog wings. The annals of Hobrog lore pertaining to their participation in battle, as well as their journeys across the mountains of Middle-earth make ample reference to their possessing winged speed. It is well known that Hobrrim traveled quickly; indeed, even the Eagles found it difficult to match their pace. However, it is uncertain whether the winged speed mentioned was metaphorical or literal. Eyewitnesses report that the Hobrrim could fly through the air with the greatest of ease (this phrase is taken from a ballad of the Hobrrim which is said to survive in part in the lyrics to "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze," but the original, sadly, is lost to history), but this may have referred to the frog-form Hobrrim's ability to cover great distances in a single leap.

However, evidence for Hobrog wings exists in the naming of a place known as Nîn-in-Eilph. A large Hobrog settlement, abandoned by the Third Age, existed there. A number of unusual items were found at this settlement, including devices marked "Wing Brush." Furthermore, a scrap of paper referencing something called a Swobrog was found at that location. The meaning of the word was puzzling to us in the field of Hobrog studies, but after some time, we realized its relationship to Nîn-in-Eilph. Indeed, the place name includes a reference to Swans, and so, the word Swobrog may represent a mingling of the Hobrrim words for Swan and Hobrog.

It is not known if Swobrog was meant as a reference to the Hobbrim's residence at Nîn-in-Eilph, a nod to their potential occupation as swan-keepers, or a clue that a winged type of Hobrog once existed. However, Swobrogs are not my main focus of study. There may be other lore keepers who have more information on the topic.

[narfforc]

The last living descendents of the Hobrog strain are the relatives of Andrew Lloyd Webber-feet. Croak croak ribbit ribbit