Man behind the Mythology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Fordim Hedgethistle · 07-13-2004, 01:01 PM

Quote:

What name did Tolkien give to his first car?

Bob?

Quote:

And how did he drive it?

While wearing a false moustache?

(I don't think I'm going to be very good at this game. . .)

Bêthberry · 07-13-2004, 02:20 PM

"Bob" is a very fine name, Fordim, one that I particuarly like, but unfortunately--or fortunately, as the case may be--Tolkien did not share my enthusiasm for Bob.

And, no, Tolkien was not given to imitating Hercule Poirot.

Nevertheless, welcome to the thread, Fordim!

*throws the ball out again.*

Mariska Greenleaf · 07-14-2004, 01:09 AM

Tolkien named the car "Jo", because of the first two signs on the license plate.
But how did he drove it??? Maybe with great care? Wearing a Panama hat? While smoking his pipe? I'm clueless on that one...

Bêthberry · 07-14-2004, 10:14 AM

Yes indeed the ignoble beast was named 'Jo.' And that being the main question, why, I shall answer the rest myself, seeing as Squatter is not here to fulminate upon vehicles of the combustible engine kind.

Carpenter claimed that 'Jo' knocked down part of a dry-stone wall on a trip to visit Hilary Tolkien. Edith apparently refused to ride in Jo after that.

But the report I found the most illuminating was Carpenter's claim that, in order to make his way through busy main streets and onto side streets in Oxford, Tolkien would plough into the intersection crying heroicly to Jo, "Charge 'em and they scatter!"

Rather Rohirric of him, don't you think? Oxfordians should perhaps be thankful he decided to give up ownership of automobiles.

The driver's seat is now yours, Mariska Greenleaf.

Mariska Greenleaf · 07-15-2004, 02:28 AM

Thank you, BB!

What title did Tolkien himself prefer instead of "The return of the King", which according to him, gave it all away?

Estelyn Telcontar · 07-15-2004, 06:05 AM

He preferred 'The War of the Ring' - I would agree that it would have been better.

Mariska Greenleaf · 07-16-2004, 02:25 AM

So do I. The floor is yours, Estelyn!

07-13-2004, 02:20 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	"Bob" is a very fine name, Fordim, one that I particuarly like, but unfortunately--or fortunately, as the case may be--Tolkien did not share my enthusiasm for Bob. And, no, Tolkien was not given to imitating Hercule Poirot. Nevertheless, welcome to the thread, Fordim! throws the ball out again. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

07-14-2004, 01:09 AM	#3
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	Tolkien named the car "Jo", because of the first two signs on the license plate. But how did he drove it??? Maybe with great care? Wearing a Panama hat? While smoking his pipe? I'm clueless on that one... __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

07-14-2004, 10:14 AM	#4
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Yes indeed the ignoble beast was named 'Jo.' And that being the main question, why, I shall answer the rest myself, seeing as Squatter is not here to fulminate upon vehicles of the combustible engine kind. Carpenter claimed that 'Jo' knocked down part of a dry-stone wall on a trip to visit Hilary Tolkien. Edith apparently refused to ride in Jo after that. But the report I found the most illuminating was Carpenter's claim that, in order to make his way through busy main streets and onto side streets in Oxford, Tolkien would plough into the intersection crying heroicly to Jo, "Charge 'em and they scatter!" Rather Rohirric of him, don't you think? Oxfordians should perhaps be thankful he decided to give up ownership of automobiles. The driver's seat is now yours, Mariska Greenleaf. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

07-15-2004, 02:28 AM	#5
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	Thank you, BB! What title did Tolkien himself prefer instead of "The return of the King", which according to him, gave it all away? __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.

07-15-2004, 06:05 AM	#6
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	He preferred 'The War of the Ring' - I would agree that it would have been better. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

07-16-2004, 02:25 AM	#7
Mariska Greenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,036	So do I. The floor is yours, Estelyn! __________________ I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.- Confucius.