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Roheryn
Tol Eressea
May 17 2013, 11:36am
Post #1 of 38
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"I'm a good carry bum!" and other Random Ro Thoughts
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Hobbits smell of cozy fires, hay fields, and baking; Dwarves just smell…well, hairy and unwashed; Elves of course smell of strawberry bubble bath. But what does a wizard smell like?
Isn’t the “two-fingered salute” (index and middle fingers in a “V”) a rude gesture in some places? I seem to remember that one getting us into trouble on a bus in Edinburgh once…Bilbo does that gesture to Gandalf under pretence of tapping his pipe, after Gandalf’s line “And where else should I be?”
Old Bilbo tells Frodo he came home with only one chest of treasure – “and it still smells of troll.” So he doesn’t end up with any Dwarven treasure at all when he departs for home after the Bo5A? Interesting. Why not?
Thorin’s got his hand on the hilt of Orcrist when he enters Bag End. Just in case he finds foes not friends on the other side of the door? A good warrior is always prepared.
Who else thinks Thorin had been repeatedly ringing the doorbell while “Blunt the Knives” was going on, and was so teed off that no one had heard him that he resorted to that thundering knock?
Bifur’s line in Bag End has always sounded to me like “I’m a -- good carry bum!”
Smoke and sparks up the chimney trailing into a night sky: full of mystery and potential adventures. Smoke from a candle by morning light: the sparks have fizzled, the flame is out. The potential is extinguished.
What do Dwarves normally blow their noses on?
Giant Eagles have a wing-span of something like 30 feet. Eagles normally capture and eat prey that’s fairly large relative to their body size. So what in Middle-earth do Giant Eagles eat? Historically, I mean. Before the introduction of domestic livestock. They must have co-evolved with some giant prey.
The quickest way to kill a spider (short of squashing it, of course) is to get it wet. Couldn’t Radagast just dump a bucket of water on them? And, since the Wicked Witch of the West similarly melted when water was dumped on her, she must be part spider. Just a thought.
After the Company slides down the rock into the cave, escaping the orcs and wargs, who else wants to hear Thorin sneer at Gandalf: “What a wonderful smell you’ve discovered!”? Or maybe that’s a better line for the troll cave.
Balin must send letters in GIANT envelopes. The-sword-not-yet-named-Sting is a bit overkill as a letter opener for a normal-sized letter.
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Riven Delve
Tol Eressea
May 17 2013, 12:24pm
Post #2 of 38
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Hobbits smell of cozy fires, hay fields, and baking; Dwarves just smell…well, hairy and unwashed; Elves of course smell of strawberry bubble bath. But what does a wizard smell like?
I think (??) we mused on this before somewhere, and I believe the consensus was a predomination of a smoky smell.  Especially Gandalf!
Old Bilbo tells Frodo he came home with only one chest of treasure – “and it still smells of troll.” So he doesn’t end up with any Dwarven treasure at all when he departs for home after the Bo5A? Interesting. Why not?
Good question! In the book, Dain gives him a couple chests, one of gold and one of silver, and then he brings home the troll hoard gold as well--in bags, not a chest--at Gandalf's insistence. So perhaps Dain doesn't give him any treasure in the movie, and his only treasure is the movie troll chest? He does end up with the mithril shirt, though, apparently. That is a kingly gift in itself, I believe. 
Thorin’s got his hand on the hilt of Orcrist when he enters Bag End. Just in case he finds foes not friends on the other side of the door? A good warrior is always prepared.
It must be his own sword rather than Orcrist, since he doesn't get that until later.  He and Dwalin both have a wariness about them as they meet Bilbo that speaks of seasoned warriors.
Who else thinks Thorin had been repeatedly ringing the doorbell while “Blunt the Knives” was going on, and was so teed off that no one had heard him that he resorted to that thundering knock?
I never thought of that! Quite possible! But I prefer to believe Thorin thinks himself above ringing that tingly little bell. A thundering knock is much more majestic.
Bifur’s line in Bag End has always sounded to me like “I’m a -- good carry bum!”
I won't comment on Bifur's bum. 
Smoke and sparks up the chimney trailing into a night sky: full of mystery and potential adventures. Smoke from a candle by morning light: the sparks have fizzled, the flame is out. The potential is extinguished.
Not the potential, I hope...perhaps just the enthusiasm!
What do Dwarves normally blow their noses on?
I don't think I want to go there. 
Giant Eagles have a wing-span of something like 30 feet. Eagles normally capture and eat prey that’s fairly large relative to their body size. So what in Middle-earth do Giant Eagles eat? Historically, I mean. Before the introduction of domestic livestock. They must have co-evolved with some giant prey.
They ate megaloceroses, of course! (Elf not included.)
The quickest way to kill a spider (short of squashing it, of course) is to get it wet.
Someone tell the dwarves before they get to Mirkwood!!
After the Company slides down the rock into the cave, escaping the orcs and wargs, who else wants to hear Thorin sneer at Gandalf: “What a wonderful smell you’ve discovered!”? Or maybe that’s a better line for the troll cave.
Me, me! Actually I keep wondering if they leave that dead orc there in the secret entrance to rot...
Balin must send letters in GIANT envelopes. The-sword-not-yet-named-Sting is a bit overkill as a letter opener for a normal-sized letter.
Maybe to Balin the elves seem enormous. And perhaps he's never seen an elven letter! I personally don't imagine them using envelopes: just folded and sealed-with-wax documents.
Thanks, Ro! I always enjoy reading your thoughts!
"I left the night, with its remote and singing stars, and came in, to the glow of the fire, and the chair where he had been sitting, and the unstrung harp." --The Last Enchantment
(This post was edited by Riven Delve on May 17 2013, 12:25pm)
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ShireHorse
Rohan
May 17 2013, 4:47pm
Post #3 of 38
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Why did the "V" sign get a mention?
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I noticed Bifur banging his bicep in Bag End which I thought was a rude salute in some countries.
The "V" sign has two meanings: if it's made palm outwards then it is the V for Victory sign beloved of Winston Churchill. But, if it is made palm inwards and involves an upward jerk then its meaning is very old and goes back to the 14th century and the 100 Years' War between England and France: if the French captured an English archer, they would often not kill him but remove his two bowstring fingers so that he could no longer draw a longbow. If the two armies were facing each other, the English would wave their fingers at the French to taunt them and to demonstrate that they were still fully operational.
Don't use it in the UK unless you're quite confident that you're bigger than the other bloke.
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DanielLB
Immortal
May 17 2013, 5:08pm
Post #4 of 38
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The bow stuff ... that's a complete myth
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I know it's only wikipedia, but it does a reasonable job of highlighting the origins of the V sign. Also, the middle finger is considered a lot ruder than the V sign.
As for Bifur's arm signal, that is his way of saying Thorin (shield etc...).
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Elwen
Lorien
May 17 2013, 5:26pm
Post #5 of 38
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Here's what your random thoughts made me think:
Hobbits smell of cozy fires, hay fields, and baking; Dwarves just smell…well, hairy and unwashed; Elves of course smell of strawberry bubble bath. But what does a wizard smell like? Pipeweed
Isn’t the “two-fingered salute” (index and middle fingers in a “V”) a rude gesture in some places? I seem to remember that one getting us into trouble on a bus in Edinburgh once…Bilbo does that gesture to Gandalf under pretence of tapping his pipe, after Gandalf’s line “And where else should I be?” Never noticed that...need to watch again.
Old Bilbo tells Frodo he came home with only one chest of treasure – “and it still smells of troll.” So he doesn’t end up with any Dwarven treasure at all when he departs for home after the Bo5A? Interesting. Why not? Well rumor has it there was one heck of a poker game in Imladris....
Thorin’s got his hand on the hilt of Orcrist when he enters Bag End. Just in case he finds foes not friends on the other side of the door? A good warrior is always prepared. This would be especially true if he heard the ruckus of dish and bowl throwing as he walked up the path.
Who else thinks Thorin had been repeatedly ringing the doorbell while “Blunt the Knives” was going on, and was so teed off that no one had heard him that he resorted to that thundering knock? Never thought that, but it's a plausible and hilarious possibility.
Bifur’s line in Bag End has always sounded to me like “I’m a -- good carry bum!” You know what random line took me to the subtitles and was a bit strange to me? "I’ll give him a taste of dwarfish iron right up his jacksie." Huh?
What do Dwarves normally blow their noses on? *doing best Aragorn impression while whispering* It's the beards.
Balin must send letters in GIANT envelopes. The-sword-not-yet-named-Sting is a bit overkill as a letter opener for a normal-sized letter. Well if that contract is any indication, I'd say you're on the right track with that theory.
Before kids, exercising with LOTR meant listening to the soundtrack while I ran.
After kids, exercising with LOTR means having an all out dance party with the little ones to the "Break the Dam Release the River" disco mix form the Lego game.
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Brethil
Half-elven
May 17 2013, 6:43pm
Post #6 of 38
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Thoughts back, with my daily dose of inappropriateness.
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Hobbits smell of cozy fires, hay fields, and baking; Dwarves just smell…well, hairy and unwashed; Elves of course smell of strawberry bubble bath. But what does a wizard smell like? Valinor (citrus-incense) and that sort of classy old-drawing room tobacco smell. Unless you are Radagast and then I think you smell like a bunny hutch on a ripe summer day. Who else thinks Thorin had been repeatedly ringing the doorbell while “Blunt the Knives” was going on, and was so teed off that no one had heard him that he resorted to that thundering knock? hahahahhaa! Especially since he was already cheesed off having knocked on several other Hobbit doors and been greeted as the exterminator or told "we don't want any buttons, thank you," and had the door slammed in his face. Bifur’s line in Bag End has always sounded to me like “I’m a -- good carry bum!” *Exactly* what it sounds like. And while we are on the topic of "what stuff sounds like," two inappropriate points:1. It sounds to me like when Gandalf is talking to Thorin after the Trollshaw, he seems to say "He had the nads to play for time. None of the rest of you thought of that." Wow - Go Bilbo! High praise there!2. And heaven help me in the old farmer's house it sounds like Thorin says "desecrate our sacred holes..." which Elaen informs me is a Yorkshire accent thing but I HATE hearing it! I yell "halls" back at the TV. What do Dwarves normally blow their noses on? The Dwarf in front of them? After the Company slides down the rock into the cave, escaping the orcs and wargs, who else wants to hear Thorin sneer at Gandalf: “What a wonderful smell you’ve discovered!”? Or maybe that’s a better line for the troll cave. Nice crossover line there Ro!!!!!!
Manwe, when asked a simple "Yes" or "No" question, contemplated, and responded "the middle one."
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Eowyn of Penns Woods
Valinor
May 17 2013, 7:19pm
Post #7 of 38
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The quickest way to kill a spider (short of squashing it, of course) is to get it wet. Couldn’t Radagast just dump a bucket of water on them?
I've seen too many spiders swim! Add a little dish detergent to that water to be sure they're done for. ;)
**********************************
NABOUF
Not a TORns*b!
Certified Curmudgeon
Knitting Knerd
NARF: NWtS Chapter Member since June 17,2011
(This post was edited by Eowyn of Penns Woods on May 17 2013, 7:21pm)
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Elizabeth
Half-elven
May 17 2013, 7:22pm
Post #8 of 38
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Old Bilbo tells Frodo he came home with only one chest of treasure – “and it still smells of troll.” So he doesn’t end up with any Dwarven treasure at all when he departs for home after the Bo5A? Interesting. Why not?
The chest may be from Trollshaw, but it is full of treasure, some of which may have come from the Dwarves.
Thorin’s got his hand on the hilt of Orcrist when he enters Bag End. Just in case he finds foes not friends on the other side of the door? A good warrior is always prepared.
Have you ever worn a big sword? Its hilt is the most comfortable place to put your hand, since it's occupying the part of your side where that hand would normally rest.
What do Dwarves normally blow their noses on?
Silly, Dwarves don't catch colds.
Giant Eagles have a wing-span of something like 30 feet. Eagles normally capture and eat prey that’s fairly large relative to their body size. So what in Middle-earth do Giant Eagles eat? Historically, I mean. Before the introduction of domestic livestock. They must have co-evolved with some giant prey.
One word: wargs.
The quickest way to kill a spider (short of squashing it, of course) is to get it wet. Couldn’t Radagast just dump a bucket of water on them? And, since the Wicked Witch of the West similarly melted when water was dumped on her, she must be part spider. Just a thought.
Water is precious when you have to lug it up from the river bucket by bucket. Squashing spiders is the preferred method.
Balin must send letters in GIANT envelopes. The-sword-not-yet-named-Sting is a bit overkill as a letter opener for a normal-sized letter.
Balin knows it was an Elven letter-opener. Elves are particularly fond of sending over-sized greeting cards, with elaborate designs and long poems inside.
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Starling
Half-elven
May 17 2013, 9:25pm
Post #9 of 38
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I had no idea that the offensive V sign
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was restricted to only a few countries. It is definitely considered very rude here in NZ. When I was growing up, it was the only rude gesture we really had. Giving someone 'the fingers' was very bad indeed.
The middle finger on its own being used as an insult started to become common by the time I was in my late teens and early 20's. My theory about that is that NZ's outward cultural reference was more towards the UK until the late 80's. (When I was growing up it was not uncommon for a lot of people to refer to the UK as 'home'.)
Somewhere in the 80's, people began looking more towards American popular culture, and then the one-fingered insult became common. Children now use both gestures, but I think if I asked them, they would say that the one-fingered gesture is ruder and more offensive than the two-fingered gesture. Both versions are described as 'the fingers'. You could probably pick the age of a New Zealander by which version they are most likely to use!
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Roheryn
Tol Eressea
May 17 2013, 9:36pm
Post #10 of 38
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Old Bilbo tells Frodo he came home with only one chest of treasure – “and it still smells of troll.” So he doesn’t end up with any Dwarven treasure at all when he departs for home after the Bo5A? Interesting. Why not?
Good question! In the book, Dain gives him a couple chests, one of gold and one of silver, and then he brings home the troll hoard gold as well--in bags, not a chest--at Gandalf's insistence. So perhaps Dain doesn't give him any treasure in the movie, and his only treasure is the movie troll chest? He does end up with the mithril shirt, though, apparently. That is a kingly gift in itself, I believe.
Yes, I took that line to suggest Dain doesn't give Bilbo any treasure in the movie. Or maybe Bilbo just refuses all of what Dain offers, rather than accepting only the two chests as in the book? Curious as to the potentially altered motivations of Dain and Bilbo there.
Thorin’s got his hand on the hilt of Orcrist when he enters Bag End. Just in case he finds foes not friends on the other side of the door? A good warrior is always prepared.
It must be his own sword rather than Orcrist, since he doesn't get that until later. He and Dwalin both have a wariness about them as they meet Bilbo that speaks of seasoned warriors.
Oh, yes of course; that's what I get for proofing what I've written at midnight. I meant "his sword" not Orcrist. Isn't his sword supposed to be named Deathless (in the movie-verse)?
Bifur’s line in Bag End has always sounded to me like “I’m a -- good carry bum!”
I won't comment on Bifur's bum.
Oh come on...you know you want to.
Thanks, Ro! I always enjoy reading your thoughts! Thanks and you're welcome! They're usually a product of too little sleep...
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RosieLass
Valinor
May 17 2013, 9:50pm
Post #11 of 38
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I knew it was the Elves who invented those obnoxious greeting cards that sing when you open them!!
Tra la la lally, down in the Valley! Ha ha!
"BOTH [political] extremes are dangerous. But more dangerous are team fanboys who think all the extremists are on the OTHER side." (CNN reader comment)
It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)
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Barrow-Wight
Rohan
May 17 2013, 11:09pm
Post #12 of 38
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Who else thinks Thorin had been repeatedly ringing the doorbell while “Blunt the Knives” was going on, and was so teed off that no one had heard him that he resorted to that thundering knock?
now that you mention it. I'm almost certain he was lol
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Roheryn
Tol Eressea
May 17 2013, 11:37pm
Post #13 of 38
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the offensive V-sign is pretty much unknown to Americans.
Hence, on my first trip to Edinburgh with a fellow American, we got on one of the city buses and were completely flummoxed by the bus driver's Scottish accent. My friend figured he was flummoxed by us too, so she proceeded to explain very slowly that we needed TWO tickets -- and she held up two fingers emphatically to illustrate her point. She got a sharp elbow in the ribs from another friend, who knew about such things, once we sat down!
Anyways, I clearly haven't been hanging out with the right crowd around here, as I'm pretty sure I haven't seen anyone using the two-finger salute.
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Starling
Half-elven
May 17 2013, 11:49pm
Post #14 of 38
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I make an effort to use it regularly,
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in the interests of keeping our cultural heritage alive.
I am very happy to give you and your family lessons, should they be required.
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Nira
Lorien
May 17 2013, 11:54pm
Post #15 of 38
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haha! I love the random thoughts
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Old Bilbo tells Frodo he came home with only one chest of treasure – “and it still smells of troll.” So he doesn’t end up with any Dwarven treasure at all when he departs for home after the Bo5A? Interesting. Why not?
His memory is going or the other chests were of silver and other non-gold treasures
Thorin’s got his hand on the hilt of Orcrist when he enters Bag End. Just in case he finds foes not friends on the other side of the door? A good warrior is always prepared.
He shouldn't have Orcrist at this point in the story, but it would make for an interesting back story if he did.
Who else thinks Thorin had been repeatedly ringing the doorbell while “Blunt the Knives” was going on, and was so teed off that no one had heard him that he resorted to that thundering knock?
That's such a great thought
Giant Eagles have a wing-span of something like 30 feet. Eagles normally capture and eat prey that’s fairly large relative to their body size. So what in Middle-earth do Giant Eagles eat? Historically, I mean. Before the introduction of domestic livestock. They must have co-evolved with some giant prey.
oliphants?
Balin must send letters in GIANT envelopes. The-sword-not-yet-named-Sting is a bit overkill as a letter opener for a normal-sized letter.
I hope he wasn't using hyperbole becuase giant dwarf envelopes would be funny
"Why, to think of it, we're in the same tale still! It's going on. Don't the great tales never end?" -Samwise
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Roheryn
Tol Eressea
May 17 2013, 11:57pm
Post #16 of 38
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you giving all three kids lessons in cultural heritage. "But Starling said it meant "Thank you!'"
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Starling
Half-elven
May 18 2013, 12:00am
Post #17 of 38
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for trying to be a helpful citizen.
Don't say I didn't try to help. 
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RosieLass
Valinor
May 18 2013, 12:06am
Post #18 of 38
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...is from watching "Are You Being Served?"
"BOTH [political] extremes are dangerous. But more dangerous are team fanboys who think all the extremists are on the OTHER side." (CNN reader comment)
It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)
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The Grey Elf
Grey Havens
May 18 2013, 12:10pm
Post #23 of 38
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RD, thanks for my first big laugh of the day. High 5! //
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Riven Delve
Tol Eressea
May 18 2013, 12:23pm
Post #24 of 38
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"I left the night, with its remote and singing stars, and came in, to the glow of the fire, and the chair where he had been sitting, and the unstrung harp." --The Last Enchantment
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