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

Estelyn Telcontar · 03-10-2007, 04:02 AM

Interesting topic idea, Lal! I would like to add something from the German linguistic background - the word "Thing" is indeed an old word meaning ruling assembly or council, also the place where that assembly was held.

The annual meeting of the German Tolkien Society is called "Tolkien Thing" - a name which met with some puzzled laughs when I mentioned it to friends here.

There is also a "Thing Street" in the village where I live.

We do know that Tolkien knew the Germanic languages well and that they have some similar background to the Nordic languages which were an inspiration for his Elvish languages. It is possible that the idea of rulership was a part of the "leaf-mould" for Thingol's name. It's all speculation, of course, but when did we ever let that stop an interesting discussion?!

03-10-2007, 04:02 AM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Interesting topic idea, Lal! I would like to add something from the German linguistic background - the word "Thing" is indeed an old word meaning ruling assembly or council, also the place where that assembly was held. The annual meeting of the German Tolkien Society is called "Tolkien Thing" - a name which met with some puzzled laughs when I mentioned it to friends here. There is also a "Thing Street" in the village where I live. We do know that Tolkien knew the Germanic languages well and that they have some similar background to the Nordic languages which were an inspiration for his Elvish languages. It is possible that the idea of rulership was a part of the "leaf-mould" for Thingol's name. It's all speculation, of course, but when did we ever let that stop an interesting discussion?! __________________ '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...'