Mathoms: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Mathom lore.jpg|thumb|''Mathom Lore'' by Robin Wood]] | |||
'''Mathoms''' was an old word of the [[Hobbitish|hobbit-dialect]], not recorded as being in use outside the [[Shire]]. It was used to refer to "trinkets" or any item that had no particular immediate use. | '''Mathoms''' was an old word of the [[Hobbitish|hobbit-dialect]], not recorded as being in use outside the [[Shire]]. It was used to refer to "trinkets" or any item that had no particular immediate use. | ||
Revision as of 15:25, 13 November 2010
File:Mathom lore.jpg
Mathom Lore by Robin Wood
Mathoms was an old word of the hobbit-dialect, not recorded as being in use outside the Shire. It was used to refer to "trinkets" or any item that had no particular immediate use.
Mathoms were many of the presents that passed from hand to hand by the Shire-hobbits - an important part of their culture - and whose owners did not wish to throw them away.
Eventually they were stored in the Mathom-house in Michel Delving.
Etymology
Mathom is a word invented by Tolkien, constructed from an obsolete Old English word māþum/máðm "treasure".[1]
It is used as a rendering of the original Hobbitish word kast.[2]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), "Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings" in Jared Lobdell (ed.), A Tolkien Compass
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
