Peregrinate and Pippin

[Merri]

Now, I'm sure somebody else has chanced upon this. Anyway, tonight, while I was studying vocabulary for English class, I came upon this word Peregrinate, meaning to travel, I think it implies traveling on foot. There's also the noun, peregrine.

What I was wondering was this: does this word have any link with Pippin's full name, Peregrin? They seem awfully similar, in my opinion.

[ December 02, 2002: Message edited by: Merri ]

[Saurannûn the Wood Elf]

Yes, they are similar. You are VERY correct, so don't think you're imagining things. But I believe that relationship was unintentional. Or not. Who knows but Tolkien himself?

[elfling]

It may be intentional. JRRT describes the Tooks as ones who are more likely to travel or have adventures so maybe JRRT did this on purpose.

[the phantom]

I'm fairly certain that Peregrin is a real name, used in UK most likely. Most names have a meaning and the name often has its root in a word that denotes the meaning. I don't think that any special thought went into that name selection, but I suppose it can't be discounted.

[Kalimac]

Tolkien was a linguist (specializing in the languages which were the precursors of English, no less) so I'm sure it was intentional. BTW according to Dictionary.com, there is no proper noun "Peregrin" (though a quick Google will show that it's a fairly widespread name) however there is the word "peregrine" which means:

1. Foreign; alien.
2. Roving or wandering; migratory.

This fits a little too well both with Pippin's life (becoming known as the Ernil i Pheriannath) and with the fact that the Tooks themselves are thought to be strange folk who sometimes go off and - gasp! - have ADVENTURES.

[good idea at the time]

I'm not entirely sure where, but i remember hearing that there is also a small bird called the Peregrin, or something like that. I don't know if that's helpful at all, just thought I'd throw it in there. smilies/smile.gif Personally, I like the traveling thing.

[the phantom]

Are you thinking of the peregrin falcon, perhaps? That's one thing that I thought of when I first saw his name. I think it's spelled like that. I know it sounds like that anyway.

[Alcerin]

speaking of which...did you know that a frodo is a jail bar? ..er, used to be, I dunno,I think it's in an old english dictionary...but I know I have seen it in a dictionary...just, I dont know which one......(bangs head on desk 20 times)

[dragoneyes]

Why 20 times?
Anyway, yes peregrin falcon is spelt like that (having said that it's probably isn't) it's what I also thought of when I first heard his name.

[Rumil]

I used to work for a lawyer called Philip Peregrin! (No I'm not a lawyer, just to head off the likely flames, but I had a summer job as a filing clerk in his office!)

The definition of the name as 'outsider' I think comes either from the Roman or Norman periods, where it defined people who came from outside the kingdom (or Empire) but were allowed to settle within its lands.