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'''Etten''' is an obscure term in [[Westron]] that refers to monsters such as [[Trolls]] or [[Ogres]].
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[[File:Andrew Goldhawk - Hill Trolls.jpg|thumb|[[Andrew Goldhawk]] - ''[[hill-trolls|Hill Trolls]]'']]
'''Etten''' is an obscure term in [[Westron]] that probably refers to monsters like [[Trolls]] or [[Ogres]].<ref name=nomen/><ref name=drout/>


The word is seen in such names like [[Ettendales]] (which was inhabited by Trolls<ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref>), and the [[Ettenmoors]], of which it was a part.
The [[Ettenmoors]] were named after these beings, in which were the [[Ettendales]], that were a troll-country<ref>{{FR|Flight|50}}, p. 203</ref> whereas specifically [[hill-trolls]] were seen in the [[Coldfells|lands north]] of [[Rivendell]].<Ref>{{App|Tale|50}}, p. 1057</ref>
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] noted that the name Ettendales (and Ettenmoors) contain the "obsolete element ''[[Wiktionary:ettin|eten]]'' ('troll, [[Ogres|ogre]]')".<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 770</ref> It is a word derived from [[Old English]] ''[[Wiktionary:eoten#Old_English|eōten]]'' ("[[giants|giant]], [[trolls|troll]], [[ogres|ogre]]")<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 183</ref><ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 770</ref> and is etymologically related to the [[Ent#Etymology|word ''Ent'']]. [[Michael D.C. Drout]] noted that Tolkien "probably thought of an 'ettin' as a troll"<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Michael D.C. Drout]] |articleurl=https://asnoc.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/an-anglo-saxonist-gets-his-fifteen-minutes-or-what-happens-when-the-media-briefly-pay-attention/|website=[https://asnoc.wordpress.com/ ASNØC]|accessed=28 February 2020}}</ref> as another name of the "Ettenmoors" is also "'''Troll-fells'''".
Explaining the name Ettendales (and Ettenmoors) Tolkien noted the "obsolete element ''[[Wiktionary:ettin|eten]]'' ('troll, ogre')".<ref name=nomen>{{HM|N}}, p. 770</ref> It is a word derived from [[Old English]] ''[[Wiktionary:eoten#Old_English|eōten]]'' ("[[giants|giant]], [[trolls|troll]], [[ogres|ogre]]").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 183</ref><ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 770</ref>
 
These locations are linked to the trolls, while another name of the "Ettenmoors" is "'''Troll-fells'''". [[Michael D.C. Drout]] noted that Tolkien "probably thought of an 'ettin' as a troll".<ref name=drout>{{webcite|author=[[Michael D.C. Drout]] |articleurl=https://asnoc.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/an-anglo-saxonist-gets-his-fifteen-minutes-or-what-happens-when-the-media-briefly-pay-attention/|website=[https://asnoc.wordpress.com/ ASNØC]|articlename=An Anglo-saxonist gets his fifteen minutes|accessed=28 February 2020}}</ref>
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
While writing ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Tolkien considered the name "Entish Dales" or "Entish Lands" for the Ettenmoors, as the adjective "entish" directly refers to Old English ''[[wiktionary:ent#Old English|ent]]'' "giant", although this was before he conceived the benevolent [[Ents]] of ''[[The Two Towers]]''.<ref>{{RS|1XId}}</ref>


==Other versions of the Legendarium==
While writing the ''[[Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Tolkien considered the name "Entish Dales" or "Entish Lands" for the Ettenmoors, as the adjective "entish" directly refers to Old English ''eōten'' "giant", although this was before he conceived the benevolent Ents of ''[[The Two Towers]]''.<ref>{{RS|1XId}}</ref>
==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
In many fantasy settings, but also some adaptations of [[Middle-earth]], there are two-headed monsters, which usually are called '''Ettin(s)'''.<ref>[[Dungeons and Dragons]] (1977), ''Monster Manual''; see further [[Wikipedia:Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons)|Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons)]] at Wikipedia</ref><ref>[https://ultima.fandom.com/wiki/Ettins Ettins] at Ultima Wiki.</ref><ref>[http://www.wowwiki.com/Ettin Ettin] at [http://www.wowwiki.com World of Warcraft Wiki] (accessed 15 November 2010)</ref> [[C.S. Lewis]] was perhaps the one who introduced the trope, mentioning the [https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Ettin Ettins] of [https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Ettinsmoor Ettinsmoor], some of which have two heads<Ref>[https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Giants#Ettins Ettins] in [https://narnia.fandom.com Narnia Wiki]</ref> but there is no indication that Tolkien intended his "ettens" to have two heads.
In many fantasy settings, but also some adaptations of [[Middle-earth]], there are monsters called '''Ettins''' (or '''Ettens''') that are usually portrayed as two-headed.<ref>[[Dungeons and Dragons]] (1977), ''Monster Manual''; see further [[Wikipedia:Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons)|Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons)]] at Wikipedia</ref><ref>[https://ultima.fandom.com/wiki/Ettins Ettins] at Ultima Wiki.</ref><ref>[http://www.wowwiki.com/Ettin Ettin] at [http://www.wowwiki.com World of Warcraft Wiki] (accessed 15 November 2010)</ref> [[C.S. Lewis]] was perhaps the one who introduced the trope, with the [https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Ettin Ettins] of [https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Ettinsmoor Ettinsmoor], some of which have two heads; in ''The Silver Chair'' the ettins play the game of Cockshies, throwing rocks at a gorge, much like the stone [[giants]] in ''[[The Hobbit]]''.<Ref>[https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Giants#Ettins Ettins] in [https://narnia.fandom.com Narnia Wiki]</ref> There is no indication that Tolkien intended his "ettens" to have two heads or that he connected them with the stone giants.


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
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'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:''Ettens'' resemble the [[Hill-trolls]], but they possess "''not one but two long heads''". The solitary creatures, a result of an ancient experiment by [[Morgoth]], live almost exclusively in the Ettenmoors.<ref>{{D|Fell}}</ref>
:''Ettens'' resemble the [[Hill-trolls]], but they possess "''not one but two long heads''". The solitary creatures, a result of an ancient experiment by [[Morgoth]], live almost exclusively in the Ettenmoors.<ref>{{D|Fell}}</ref>
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:''Ettens'' are a race of trolls, primarily native to the [[Trollshaws]] region. They wear animal-skin cloaks that create the illusion of them being two-headed.


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 18:23, 24 June 2021

Etten is an obscure term in Westron that probably refers to monsters like Trolls or Ogres.[1][2]

The Ettenmoors were named after these beings, in which were the Ettendales, that were a troll-country[3] whereas specifically hill-trolls were seen in the lands north of Rivendell.[4]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Explaining the name Ettendales (and Ettenmoors) Tolkien noted the "obsolete element eten ('troll, ogre')".[1] It is a word derived from Old English eōten ("giant, troll, ogre").[5][6]

These locations are linked to the trolls, while another name of the "Ettenmoors" is "Troll-fells". Michael D.C. Drout noted that Tolkien "probably thought of an 'ettin' as a troll".[2]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

While writing The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien considered the name "Entish Dales" or "Entish Lands" for the Ettenmoors, as the adjective "entish" directly refers to Old English ent "giant", although this was before he conceived the benevolent Ents of The Two Towers.[7]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

In many fantasy settings, but also some adaptations of Middle-earth, there are monsters called Ettins (or Ettens) that are usually portrayed as two-headed.[8][9][10] C.S. Lewis was perhaps the one who introduced the trope, with the Ettins of Ettinsmoor, some of which have two heads; in The Silver Chair the ettins play the game of Cockshies, throwing rocks at a gorge, much like the stone giants in The Hobbit.[11] There is no indication that Tolkien intended his "ettens" to have two heads or that he connected them with the stone giants.

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1998-2004: Middle-earth Online:

Ettins, a race of two-headed Trolls, was intended to be included in the game.[12]

2002-5: The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game:

Ettens resemble the Hill-trolls, but they possess "not one but two long heads". The solitary creatures, a result of an ancient experiment by Morgoth, live almost exclusively in the Ettenmoors.[13]

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Ettens are a race of trolls, primarily native to the Trollshaws region. They wear animal-skin cloaks that create the illusion of them being two-headed.

See also[edit | edit source]

References

Legendary races of Arda
 Animals:  Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish
Dragon-kind:  Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms
Evil Races:  Ettens · Giants · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Two-headed Trolls
Other:  Badger-folk · Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless things · Spectres
Individuals:  Talking Gurthang · Talking purse · The Hunter · Lady of the Sun · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · River-woman · Tarlang · Tim · Tom · White cow