# Stump my friend with Tolkien.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 20, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501 "2001-06-20T18:02:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/21 "2001-06-21T13:43:09Z")
Umm… actually, the answer I was looking for in regards to the 7 is (I don’t have exact numbers with me; I’ll get back to you on that), some were recovered by Sauron, some were lost when their bearers were consumed by dragons, and some were just plain lost. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/22 "2001-06-21T13:46:02Z")
What was the “Secret Fire?” Did the Balrog have wings? If it did, why didn’t it fly out of the pit at Z’Ha’Dum? (Oh, wait, wrong pit, make that Khazad-Dûm) ---
**Author:** ![Kaotic\_Newtral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/23 "2001-06-21T13:55:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Saltire \* > \*\*Who killed the original Gothmog? > > What is Mandos’ real name? > > Who forged Anduril? > > What was the name of Anduril’s sister-sword? \*\* **Tolkien Guru Says** Ecthellion, He Killed Gothmog in Gondolin Anduril was forged by the Elves in Rivendell. Anduril didn’t have a sister sword, it had a _Father Sword_ so to speak, as it was forged from the Shards or Narsil. ---
**Author:** ![Kaotic\_Newtral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/24 "2001-06-21T13:56:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Alatariel \* > \*\*What was Morwen’s nickname as a young woman? \*\* Tolkien Guru Says: I believe that Morwen’s nickname was Lalaith, which was rendered Laughter, but she died when young. ---
**Author:** ![Kaotic\_Newtral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/25 "2001-06-21T13:59:34Z")
You guys will have to forgive the slow answers. I’m forwarding these to him in email…he’s answering. He’s also answering these from memory which is really weird. We’re doing this at work and trying not to get caught. ---
**Author:** ![Alatariel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Alatariel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alatariel)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/26 "2001-06-21T14:00:27Z")
Close, but you’re thinking of Morwen’s daughter (hint). ---
**Author:** ![don\_Jaime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b4bc9f/32.png) [@don\_Jaime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_Jaime)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/27 "2001-06-21T14:42:28Z")
Which chapter of _The Hobbit_ did Tolkien have re-edit after the Trilogy was published? What change did he make to the chapter, and what change should he have made, but overlooked? ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/28 "2001-06-21T17:20:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tenar \* > \*\*What was Niggle’s neighbor’s name? > > What was the name of Farmer Giles’ dog? > > Where did “Smith” live? \*\* Oh, the bragging and the bullying! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/29 "2001-06-21T18:00:45Z")
Do elves have pointed ears? Why do bad guys names start with “S”? Sauron, Saruman, Snadyman, Smeagol. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/30 "2001-06-21T18:18:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by carnivorousplant \* > \*\*Do elves have pointed ears? > > Why do bad guys names start with “S”? Sauron, Saruman, Snadyman, Smeagol. \*\* … Shelob, Smaug, Sam… What type of hobbit did Gollum start out as? Is it pronounced “toll-keen” or “toll-kin”? In either case, how does he know? ---
**Author:** ![Kaotic\_Newtral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/31 "2001-06-21T18:59:19Z")
Tolkien Guru Says: What was Merry’s name, really? **Meriadoc Brandybuck** Who was Ulmo? **The Valar who was in charge of the Seas, so to speak.** Do Balrogs have wings? **No, although it is debated.** A simple one, but still fun…Who was the only character featured in the trilogy whom went to the halls of the dead, and returned? **Glorfindel, he died at the battle of Gondolin, helping the remnant escape. He died fighting a Balrog. Yet he also plays a small part in LOTR. You could also make a Case for Luthien since she is mentioned repeatedly throughout the trilogy.** Who was Elu Thingol, and what did his name mean? **Easiest answer is he was Melian’s Husband and Luthien’s father. I cannot remember what his name means.** What was the Girdle of Melian? **It was the enchanments which Melian had crafted about Doriath, Beren was the only one who made it through the Girdle without Melian’s permission.** Who is speaking? Quoting whom? to whom? “Olorin, I was called, in my youth, in the west, which is forgotten.” **Gandalf is speaking, for he was Olorin** What was Angrist? What did Beren do with it? **Well Angcrist was a dagger forged By Telchar, Beren’s notority with it was using it to remove a Simaril from Morgoth’s Crown.** Where did the light of the Silmarills originate? **The two trees of Valinor which Elbereth had halowed.** How many Istari were there? Name three. **5 Gandalf, Radagast, and Saruman.** Aurë entúluva! **Day shall come again - It is Noldorian, High Elvish if you wish.** ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/32 "2001-06-21T23:03:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Alatariel \* > \*\*Close, but you’re thinking of Morwen’s daughter (hint). \*\* Since the Guru got it wrong – it was Eledhwen. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/33 "2001-06-21T23:42:28Z")
Elu Thingol **I cannot remember what his name means.** King Greymantle Who is speaking? Quoting whom? to whom? “Olorin, I was called, in my youth, in the west, which is forgotten.” **Gandalf is speaking, for he was Olorin** Close, but I keep the cigar on this one. Aragorn, speaking to Eomer, during the pursuit of the orcs across Rohan. Gandalf was the one quoted. ## Tris “People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.” ~ Lao Tzu ~ ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2001, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/34 "2001-06-22T00:24:48Z")
Merry’s real name was Kalimac Barandagamba–and Sam’s was Banazir Galpsi. Meriadoc Brandybuck and Samwise Gamgee are anglicizations from the original Kuduk (Hobbit) tongue, a dialect of Westron. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2001, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/35 "2001-06-22T06:31:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cobravert \* > **Day shall come again - It is Noldorian, High Elvish if you wish.** More commonly known as Quenya. (Do I get Tolkien geek points if I point out that Elu Thingol’s name in Quenya is Elwë Sindacollo? :D) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2001, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/36 "2001-06-22T18:34:27Z")
Who is the oldest living thing? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2001, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/37 "2001-06-22T20:22:19Z")
Dr. Rieux got it right, though he misspelled _Brandagamba_. People do forget it’s a _translation._ > [@](#): > > Merry’s real name was Kalimac Barandagamba–and Sam’s was Banazir Galpsi. > Meriadoc Brandybuck and Samwise Gamgee are anglicizations from the original Kuduk (Hobbit) tongue, a dialect of Westron. Similarly, Katisha gets serious Tolkien geek points; I was going to give her a deduction for spelling _Singollo_ “Sindacollo”, but was able to confirm that _Sindacollo_ is an “uncontracted” form of the Quenya “translation” of his name (which I did not know). And Tris is wrong in assuming “Elu” means king, but he was a king, and he was simply called Thingol (Greymantle) most of the time, so I see why. What does the name Elu (or Elwë) more likely mean? (Easier than you think.) And who was his brother? ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2001, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/38 "2001-06-26T05:25:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cobravert \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Saltire \* > > \*\*Who killed the original Gothmog? > > > > What is Mandos’ real name? > > > > Who forged Anduril? > > > > What was the name of Anduril’s sister-sword? \*\* > > **Tolkien Guru Says** > > Ecthellion, He Killed Gothmog in Gondolin > > Anduril was forged by the Elves in Rivendell. > > Anduril didn’t have a sister sword, it had a _Father Sword_ so to speak, as it was forged from the Shards or Narsil. > > \*\* OK, I messed up. I didn’t have the Silmarillion at hand when I wrote the questions, and I remembered the sword’s name wrong. Your answers are correct for Anduril. Here’s what I meant to ask, though: Who forged Anglachel? What was the name of Anglachel’s sister-sword? And for extra credit: When Anglachel was renamed, what was it called by its then-owner? Still waiting for Mandos’ real name. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Triskadecamus \* > \*\*Who is speaking? Quoting whom? to whom? “Olorin, I was called, in my youth, in the west, which is forgotten.” > > **Gandalf is speaking, for he was Olorin** > > Close, but I keep the cigar on this one. Aragorn, speaking to Eomer, during the pursuit of the orcs across Rohan. Gandalf was the one quoted. > > ## Tris > > “People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge.” ~ Lao Tzu ~ \*\* I’m letting myself in for another embarassment, but I think you’re both wrong. I believe this was said by Faramir to Frodo, though he was quoting Gandalf. I don’t have a copy of The Two Towers to check, but I’m pretty sure. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2001, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/39 "2001-06-26T07:37:47Z")
Here it is: [quote] ‘The Grey Pilgrim?’ said Frodo. ‘Had he a name?’ ‘Mithrandir we called him in elf-fashion,’ said Faramir, 'and he was content. _Many are my names in many countries,_ he said. _Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkun to the Dwarves; Olorin I was in my youth in the West that is forgottn, in the South Incanus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not.’_ [quote] Good memory, Saltire – I had to look that up myself. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Clark\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_K)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501/40 "2001-07-07T16:45:29Z")
Isn’t anyone going to answer these questions? You’ve got me on the edge of my seat. If the Tolkien “expert” can’t do it, then I think the people who posed questions are morally obligated to provide answers. What did Tolkien have to re-edit from The Hobbit? What was Bombadil supposed to represent? The people demand to know! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stump-my-friend-with-tolkien/69501.md?page=3)