[Hathor]

Now, we all now that Middle-Earth isn't real. (That is until I find it hiding behind a statue in Liverpool...) Alas, even the place names aren't real places... or are they?

I say this because I'm fed up of being the only one that laughs like a loon every time I pass a garage in a nearby a town.

"Lindons Garage."

Who knew?

I've also spotted "Pippin Road" (not too far from Lindons, actually...) and I know for a fact there's a chain of outdoor shops called Rohan.

Anyone else got some of these? I'd like to know that it's not just me spotting these everywhere I go!

[JennnLee]

I don't know about actual place names per se, but at our farmer's market there's a stall that sells all these different kinds of teas. I got one a couple weeks ago called "Thirunelveli." My friend Rebecca and I decided it's an Elvish tea, although the tea lady said it was actually from India. Really good, though.

[BittenBuggy]

Lol, Hathor, you are completely safe. The reason that so many of Tolkien's names (especially regarding places) sound like places that exist now is because he was English.

I read a very interesting biography on Tolkien once and it said that he grew up with the "Allen" family and lived near a railroad. Well, when the cars went by, there was Galic writing on the sides. And that is where many of the names Tolkien used in his stories comes from... From the side of a train!

Just a little interesting, geeky fact. Anyway, yes, a LOT of his names were derived from.

Here is an interesting thing to do... go to the Encyclopedia of Arda and check out the map of Middle-Earth. http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/default.htm

Now, look up in the upper left hand corner where it says "Lindon." Doesn't that look a lot like where "London" is in Europe?

[Panneth]

Erm, BB? What are you talking about? In case it had escaped your notice, the fabulous country in which you are currently residing is an island.

[BittenBuggy]

Oh hush up, Em But go ahead and tell me its not in a very similar spot. I said SIMILAR, not exact... Nit-picker!!

Attack the nit-pickers! They are the bane of us all!

[Viv]

[BittenBuggy]

[Panneth]

Nah, I can't see this at all. Is it like those Magic Eye pictures where it only works if you screw your eyes up really tight, stand on your head and drink salt water?

[Anyathe]

There's a little fastfood place near me called 'Pippin's'. So I have to buy food there....just cos.

I did see a little shop called Rivendell!! But it was full of miscellanious crap. :(

[Meleka]

Okay the only thing i can think of is that their is a boat called Peregrin a couple of pens up from ours.

I thought it was funny but my parents thought i was weird.

[NancyBrooke]

In Columbia, Maryland (an entire city built by a Developer - the Rouse Company in the 70's I think) there is a Village (the city is divided into seperate vicinity's called "Villages" - wait ... that sounds familiar ...) called Hobbit's Glenn, with a Hobbit's Glenn Golf Course, a Barrow Downs Way, Tooks Way, Elfstone Way, Wood Elves Way, Proud Foot Place, Buckleberry Path, and Rivendell Lane.

Where would you want to live? Hey - and never sleep over at the house of anyone who lives on Barrow Downs Way!

[nautika]

I've seen on the weather where Pennsylvania has a Brandywine (river?)

n

[JennnLee]

Yep, and it flows into Delaware. Morgan and I took our engagement picture in front of the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware in January 1995. Almost got hypothermia, but it was a lovely picture so that's all that matters. Right?