Potatoes: Difference between revisions

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|}}'''Potatoes''' or '''taters''' in [[Hobbitish]], were root vegetables that were apparently among the staple foods of the [[Hobbits]]. [[Samwise Gamgee]] expected to find them in [[Ithilien]].
|}}'''Potatoes''' or '''taters''' in [[Hobbitish]], were root vegetables that were apparently among the staple foods of the [[Hobbits]] ([[Hamfast Gamgee]] was recognized locally as an expert on growing potatoes).<ref>{{FR|I1}}</ref> [[Samwise Gamgee]] expected to find them in [[Ithilien]].<ref>{{TT|IV4}}</ref>
==Etymology==
''[[Wiktionary:potato#English|Potato]]'' is a word of Spanish and Native American origins. The term ''[[Wiktionary:tater#English|tater]]'' seen to be used in [[Hobbitish]], represents UK slang.
 
Since the potatoes are a New World plant (see below), it has been suggested that "potatoes" is perhaps a "translation" from a [[Westron]] name of a related but otherwise unrecorded plant of [[Third Age]] [[Middle-earth]].<ref name=Arda>{{webcite|author=Mark Fisher|articlename=Potatoes|website=EoA|articleurl=http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/p/potatoes.html}}</ref>


==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
The existence of potatoes in the ancient European setting of [[Middle-earth]] is problematic since potatoes came from America only in the recent centuries. Tolkien avoided using foreign concepts and terms of English vocabulary such as Native American words. For example [[tomatoes]] were referred in the first edition of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' but removed in the second one.
Fans have noticed that potatoes are a New World plant, not native to the Old World setting of [[Middle-earth]]. The [[pipe-weed]] (another New World plant) is referenced as having being brought from [[Númenor]] and fans have explored the possibility that this was also the case with potatoes.<ref name=Arda/><ref>[http://www.lotrplaza.com/archives/index.php?Archive=archive&TID=105560 Forum discussion] at LOTRplaza</ref><ref>[http://www.thetolkienforum.com/showthread.php?19248-Taters-in-Middle-Earth&s=cc49b7ac8285e2e4b34e52b0e19be48c Forum discussion] at the TolkienForum</ref>.  
 
The term "taters" is perhaps an attempt to 'anglicize' or 'Hobbitize' this word.


Conceivably, the roots named 'potatoes' in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s work represent some other related root plant, or a crop brought east by the [[Númenóreans]] that later became extinct.
See also [[tomatoes]]<ref>{{HM|AH}}</ref> concerning a similar apparent "paradox".


{{references}}
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Plants]]
[[Category:Plants]]

Revision as of 14:37, 1 September 2013

Potatoes
Other namesTaters
LocationThe Shire
FamilyNightshades

Potatoes or taters in Hobbitish, were root vegetables that were apparently among the staple foods of the Hobbits (Hamfast Gamgee was recognized locally as an expert on growing potatoes).[1] Samwise Gamgee expected to find them in Ithilien.[2]

Etymology

Potato is a word of Spanish and Native American origins. The term tater seen to be used in Hobbitish, represents UK slang.

Since the potatoes are a New World plant (see below), it has been suggested that "potatoes" is perhaps a "translation" from a Westron name of a related but otherwise unrecorded plant of Third Age Middle-earth.[3]

Inspiration

Fans have noticed that potatoes are a New World plant, not native to the Old World setting of Middle-earth. The pipe-weed (another New World plant) is referenced as having being brought from Númenor and fans have explored the possibility that this was also the case with potatoes.[3][4][5].

See also tomatoes[6] concerning a similar apparent "paradox".

References