Kuduk (pl. *Kudugin) was the actual Westron word with which the Hobbits called themselves. It is translated as "Hobbit."
Etymology
It is suggested that this developed from an older word, kûd-dûkan, meaning 'hole-builder'. Although the Hobbits called themselves kuduk, they had forgotten the meaning of the word.[1]
Other versions
Before this published word, Tolkien considered the form cûbuc pl. cûbugin which was apparently dropped later.[2]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, p. 49