Words and Names in Tolkien's Work - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

**The Saucepan Man** · 03-09-2007, 06:53 PM

For me, a curious name to start with, Lal.

This may sound silly, but its a genuine reaction.

I find Thingol to be one of my least favourite names in Tolkien's works. Simply because of the word "thing", which to me denotes a generalised and unspecified, and therefore rather unimportant, item. The association with "thingamajig" or "thingamabob" or just plain "thingy", makes me think of someone or something which is so drab that one cannot be bothered to recall its proper name.

Sorry but, as I said, it's a genuine reaction. And it colours my view of the character. I find him uninteresting.

03-09-2007, 06:53 PM	#3
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	For me, a curious name to start with, Lal. This may sound silly, but its a genuine reaction. I find Thingol to be one of my least favourite names in Tolkien's works. Simply because of the word "thing", which to me denotes a generalised and unspecified, and therefore rather unimportant, item. The association with "thingamajig" or "thingamabob" or just plain "thingy", makes me think of someone or something which is so drab that one cannot be bothered to recall its proper name. Sorry but, as I said, it's a genuine reaction. And it colours my view of the character. I find him uninteresting. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind! Last edited by The Saucepan Man; 03-09-2007 at 07:17 PM.