What was Tolkien's original intent: rabbit or hobbit?

[KatieLee]

As many know, Tolkien say down one day and wrote a random sentence that eventually became the first sentence of The Hobbit.

My question is... Do you think he meant to write Hobbit or rabbit? Was this a happy accident where Tolkien reread his handwriting and saw this new word?

Disclaimer: I am not arguing that Hobbits are rabbits, rabbit like or were derived from rabbits, outside of the initial word similarity. Though this would explain why some Hobbits live in holes.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

I take his word that he wrote "hobbit", as he said he wondered himself about the word's meaning.

The connection with rabbits occurred to readers early on, given the similarities between the words, and the fact Bilbo is compared to one through the book, by trolls, eagles, and Beorn; but Tolkien disavowed any connection, for instance in Letter 319:

. . . the trolls' use of rabbit was merely an obvious insult, of no more etymological significance than Thorin's insult to Bilbo 'ddescendant of rats!'

The rabbit references were likely intended to help endear Bilbo to his child readers; after all, most children love bunnies. 🐰

 

[Kiredor]

As many know, Tolkien say down one day and wrote a random sentence that eventually became the first sentence of The Hobbit.

My question is... Do you think he meant to write Hobbit or rabbit? Was this a happy accident where Tolkien reread his handwriting and saw this new word?

Disclaimer: I am not arguing that Hobbits are rabbits, rabbit like or were derived from rabbits, outside of the initial word similarity. Though this would explain why some Hobbits live in holes.

Tolkien stated in one of his interviews that he was marking end of term papers and out of the blue, on the back of a submitted paper, wrote the immortal words. Thank goodness he did!

 

[Radaghast]

Tolkien wrote in a letter:

I picture a fairly human figure, not a kind of ‘fairy’ rabbit as some of my British reviewers seem to fancy: fattish in the stomach, shortish in the leg. A round, jovial face; ears only slightly pointed and ‘elvish’; hair short and curling (brown). The feet from the ankles down, covered with brown hairy fur. Clothing: green velvet breeches; red or yellow waistcoat; brown or green jacket; gold (or brass) buttons; a dark green hood and cloak (belonging to a dwarf).

• The Letters of JRR Tolkien, #27

I think this pretty much dispels the notion that hobbits have anything to do with rabbits.

Although the inside of Bugs Bunny's hole does look about as comfortable as Bilbo's (though not so much for Babyface Finster).

 

[Jimbo Baggins]

I see what you did there. Was one of Tolkien’s stratagems. He was in jail for a wile.

 

[Radaghast]

😐 He was? 😕

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

😐 He was? 😕

No, Tolkien was never in prison

 

[Ent]

I do not believe Mr. Baggins refers to Tolkien being 'in jail' literally.
Rather, if I have to guess (though the connection is weak at best), I think he's playing off Radaghast's reference to Babyface Finster.
"In jail for a wile" may be a sidelong reference to Wile E. Coyote, slim though the thread seems.
Outside of that, though we must not be hasty, Ent can't make sense of the post.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

 

[Finrod_Felagund]

In a hole in the ground there lived a Saxon. Not sure if she spent an hour or two in police custody or not after the bus incident.

 

[herlig9]

I take his word that he wrote "hobbit", as he said he wondered himself about the word's meaning.

The connection with rabbits occurred to readers early on, given the similarities between the words, and the fact Bilbo is compared to one through the book, by trolls, eagles, and Beorn; but Tolkien disavowed any connection, for instance in Letter 319:

The rabbit references were likely intended to help endear Bilbo to his child readers; after all, most children love bunnies. 🐰

Bunnies for kids

Bunnies for adults