Tolkien Trivia

Beren · Post by **Beren** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:49 pm

Ok now one very difficult: level 3

The term ‘hydroponic’ where did Tolkien mainly know this from?

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:52 pm

Wow! It appears that none of us has a clue on this one, Beren. I didn't even know that Tolkien knew this term. Does it appear in the legendarium?

But I'll hazard a wild guess: I know this term from gardening. So might that be from where Tolkien knew it?

Beren · Post by **Beren** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:17 pm

No it is not from gardening... I do not think you can google this one... shall I give a tip?

Riv Res · Post by **Riv Res** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:19 pm

Beren wrote:... shall I give a tip?

Yes please.

Philipa · Post by **Philipa** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:20 pm

I only came up with hydroponic gardening tips. A hint would be nice.

Beren · Post by **Beren** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:43 pm

Ok, since this is very difficult I will give some big help. We can read in Valedictory Address (Tolkiens goodbey speech when retiring from Oxford college):

However, that is not a matter which I wish to explore deeply: that is, ‘research’ and ‘research degrees' in relation to the ordinary courses of learning – the so-called ‘postgraduate’ activities, which have in recent years shown such rapid growth, forming what one might call our ‘hydroponic’ department. A term which, I fear, I only know from ........... , in which it seems to refer to the cultivation of plants without soil in enclosed vehicles far removed from this world.

Now you know the source and should be able to fill in the blank, or make a guess!

serinde · Post by **serinde** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:18 pm

I don't have the reference, but my first guess was: one of his sons was studying 'hydroponics'

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:48 pm

Oh! Maybe this was science fiction in Tolkien's time? But there are hydroponic gardens in reality now. Much of the lettuce at our grocery store is grown hydroponically.

Beren · Post by **Beren** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:53 pm

Congrats! It is "sience fiction" we were looking for!! Just loved the sentence...

seckvahl · Post by **seckvahl** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:19 pm

...now that I think of it, didn't Robert A Heinlein talk about hydropnic gardening in some of his books? I remember that from somewhere....

-Seck

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:50 pm

Isn't it weird how what one finds in science fiction sometimes come to be in reality?

Beren, I'm not sure I understand Tolkien's point. I think he's saying that something about academia is rootless and far removed from real life. Is he talking about his own work or the research of others?

In the meantime, here is a new question:

Level 1.5, maybe: What was Roverandom?

White rose · Post by **White rose** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:56 am

Tolkien's childrens book is about a dog (Rover) who is turned into a wizard?

So I will presume you are looking for.... wizard?

Merry · Post by **Merry** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:28 pm

Dog or wizard would have been fine, White Rose--well done and your turn!

White rose · Post by **White rose** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:17 am

Thanks Merry

Q: Apart from the LOTR's books, where else can The Balrog be found?

serinde · Post by **serinde** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:21 am

The Balrogs (and their origins - Maiar deceived & corrupted by Melkor) are discussed in The Silmarillion. In fact, it was in battle with a Balrog that the original Glorfindel was killed, during the escape from Gondolin, the Hidden City.

Serinde