Etten
Etten is an obscure term in Westron that refers to monsters such as Trolls or Ogres.
The word is seen in such names like Ettendales (which was inhabited by Trolls[1]), and the Ettenmoors, of which it was a part.
Etymology
J.R.R. Tolkien noted that the name Ettendales (and Ettenmoors) contain the "obsolete element eten ('troll, ogre')".[2] It is a word derived from Old English eōten ("giant, troll, ogre")[3][4] and is etymologically related to the word Ent. Michael D.C. Drout noted that Tolkien "probably thought of an 'ettin' as a troll".[5] as another name of the "Ettenmoors" is also "Troll-fells".
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.[6]
Inspiration
In many fantasy settings, but also some adaptations of Middle-earth, there are two-headed monsters, which usually are called Ettin(s).[7][8][9] C.S. Lewis was perhaps the one who introduced the trope, mentioning the Ettins of Ettinsmoor, some of which have two heads.[10] 1998-2004: Middle-earth Online:
- Ettins, a race of two-headed trolls, was intended to be included in the game.[11]
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.[12]
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Flight to the Ford"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 770
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 183
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 770
- ↑ Michael D.C. Drout, "[1]", ASNØC (accessed 28 February 2020)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: XI. From Weathertop to the Ford, Note on the Entish Lands"
- ↑ Dungeons and Dragons (1977), Monster Manual; see further Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons) at Wikipedia
- ↑ Ettins at Ultima Wiki.
- ↑ Ettin at World of Warcraft Wiki (accessed 15 November 2010)
- ↑ Ettins in Narnia Wiki
- ↑ Roundup 12.1 (02-09-2004) at My.lotro.com (accessed 16 November 2010)
- ↑ Scott Bennie, Mike Mearls, Steve Miller, Aaron Rosenberg, Chris Seeman, Owen Seyler, and George Strayton (2003), Fell Beasts and Wondrous Magic
