Peregrinate and Pippin
 

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 ]

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?

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.

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.

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.

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. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Personally, I like the traveling thing.

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.

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)

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.

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.