>>> varg(r) is a term which means both a dangerous wolf and an

Pavel wrote:

>Hi guys,
>I'm new to the list...
>I hear that this word (varg(r)) was used by JRR Tolkien when he
>devised the very dangerous Wargs (in the Hobbit). He was a knowing
>scientist, and he could hardly use a neutral word for such abominable
>creatures...
>Way off-topic, but...

I think Tolkien was attempting to create a sort of "ultimate" Anglo-Saxon
drama, and for that purpose used a lot of names and figures from Norse myth.
(which is of course not completely historically justified)

From Anglo-Saxon I find the words "wearg" (=outlaw)
Also "wiergan" (=female wolf) ; "wiergþu" (=damnation).
Also "wyrgan" , from which mod. English "to worry".
The basic meaning seems to be related to a word for
"a piece of rope". (a running knot or a "noose" used
both to catch animals, as well as for executions.)

Apropos of wolves: has the news where you live brought reports about
the on-going Norwegian wolf hunt? Here the newspapers brought a large
picture of two top-level "Spiegel" reporters, who were visiting the
hunting grounds in order to cover the hunt as an international news story.

Keth