Orcs and Goblins! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Balin999 · 05-19-2003, 10:31 AM

Just found this:
I have an edition of "the Hobbit" with a foreword by Tolkien himself and it says:

"This is a story of long ago. At that time the languages and letters were quite different from ours of today. English is used to represent the languages. But two points may be noted. 1(not important for this thread)

2: Orc is not an English word. It occurs in one or two places but is usually translated to goblin(or hobgoblin for the larger kinds). Orc is the hobbits' form of the name given at that time to these creatures, and it is not connected at all with our orc, ork, applied to sea animals of dolphin kind.

I think the question should be answered with that.

[ May 20, 2003: Message edited by: Balin999 ]

05-19-2003, 10:31 AM	#18
Balin999 Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2000 Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon Posts: 493	Just found this: I have an edition of "the Hobbit" with a foreword by Tolkien himself and it says: "This is a story of long ago. At that time the languages and letters were quite different from ours of today. English is used to represent the languages. But two points may be noted. 1(not important for this thread) 2: Orc is not an English word. It occurs in one or two places but is usually translated to goblin(or hobgoblin for the larger kinds). Orc is the hobbits' form of the name given at that time to these creatures, and it is not connected at all with our orc, ork, applied to sea animals of dolphin kind. I think the question should be answered with that. [ May 20, 2003: Message edited by: Balin999 ] __________________ ...Nichts ist gelber als Gelb selber... ...The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, but conformity... ...Everything is possible, except to ski through a revolving door...