gandalf and the name incanus

[A_Brandybuck]

Originally Posted by Raynor

In the Unfinished Tales, it is noted that:

Given the etymology of the name and its meaning, I would say it reffers completely to Harad.

But Tolkien decided later 1967, that Incánus was a Quenya name and the name came from the earlier times of Gondor. It follows this quote:

Originally Posted by The Istari, UT

On this assumption an etymology is proposed from the Quenya elements in(id) - "mind" and kan- "ruler", expecially in cáno, cánu "ruler, governor, chieftain" (which later constitutes the second element in the names of Turgon and Fingon). In the note my father referred to the latin word incánus 'grey-haired' in such a way as to suggest that this was the actual origin of this name of Gandalf's when The Lord of the Rings was written, which if true would eb very surprising; and at the end of the discussion he remarked that the coincidence in from of the Quenya name and the Latin word must be regarded as 'accident' ...

It seems, that Tolkien changed his mind about the origin of the name. First it came from the wide South, from Harad, but then after it seems unlikely, that Gandalf travelled so far, it was changed to old Gondor.

[Rumil]

As A Brandybuck helpfully explains, Incanus seems to have originally been intended as a word from the language of the Haradrim, meaning 'North-Spy', then Tolkien changed his mind to make it a word meaning 'Mind-Ruler' or similar and derived from Quenya. I think a possible explanation suggests itself, which I'll expand upon and have a go at some mad speculation!

I think the name may be a pun from around the time of the Kin-Strife. It would have seemed a complimentary name derived from the scholarly Quenya, but in reality conceal an insult understandable to those who knew the language of Gondor's southern fiefs. No doubt Gandalf understood exactly what was being said. In the same way Orthanc meant both 'Mount Fang' and 'Cunning Mind' (or similar, can't find ref at mo) depending which language you were using.

During this time Castamir usurped the throne of Gondor's rightful king, Eldacar. After a great war between the two parties Castamir was defeated and killed at the battle of Erui TA 1447, but his sons and people eventually escaped to Umbar with the fleet. The party of the usurpers was strongest at Pelargir and south towards Umbar.

This raises the fascinating possibility that Gandalf involved himself directly in these momentous events, perhaps encouraging Eldacar and helping him build up support to retake his kingdom and even 'spying' on the usurpers. Scope for fanfic perhaps?