The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Race
Division
Descended from the same stock as the Stoors
Pronunciation
tra'hald
Meaning
'Burrowing, worming in'
Other names
Titles

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About this entry:

  • Updated 24 December 2015
  • Updates planned: 1

Trahald

Sméagol's true name

Gollum's original name 'Sméagol' was not in fact the one he historically would have used: that name was Trahald. 'Trahald' comes from a Mannish dialect spoken in the region around the Gladden River, and means 'burrowing'. Tolkien created an anglicised version of the name, based on the Old English word smygel, which evolved into the better known name of Sméagol. The same old word for 'burrowing' lies behind smial, the Hobbits' traditional name for their Hobbit-holes.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 24 December 2015
  • Updates planned: 1

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