Oliphants? Elephants? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bill Ferny · 10-13-2002, 04:38 PM

The word Oliphaunt is the word used for these beasts in the Shire by the hobbits. Of course, for the hobbits (or at least most hobbits) these creatures were nothing more than elements of fanciful tales and children's stories. These stories about the oliphaunts were being circulated in the Shire long before Bilbo's journey.

As we learn, however, oliphaunts did in fact exist, and were used as beasts of war by the peoples of Harad. They are called mumakil by the Men of Gondor, and are pretty much the same as our elephants. I'm not sure if the term elephant was used in Middle-earth, and I'm looking without sucess for the reference in The Hobbit. Could you give me a chapter and page number?

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ]

[ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ]

10-13-2002, 04:38 PM	#1
Bill Ferny Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bree Posts: 390	The word Oliphaunt is the word used for these beasts in the Shire by the hobbits. Of course, for the hobbits (or at least most hobbits) these creatures were nothing more than elements of fanciful tales and children's stories. These stories about the oliphaunts were being circulated in the Shire long before Bilbo's journey. As we learn, however, oliphaunts did in fact exist, and were used as beasts of war by the peoples of Harad. They are called mumakil by the Men of Gondor, and are pretty much the same as our elephants. I'm not sure if the term elephant was used in Middle-earth, and I'm looking without sucess for the reference in The Hobbit. Could you give me a chapter and page number? [ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ] [ October 13, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ] __________________ I prefer Gillaume d’Férny, connoisseur of fine fruit.