OT question about elves

[Baron Munchausen]

Prior to Tolkien the adjective was 'elfin' or 'elfish' actually. These are still valid, but now much less used than 'elven' and 'elvish'. And yet, the 'Tolkien' style is the older and original style! In fact the 3rd edition of the American Heritage Dictionary still lists only 'elfin' and not the newer/older style 'elven'.

elf·in -- adjective

1. a. Relating to or suggestive of an elf. b. Made, done, or produced by an elf.
2. Small and sprightly; mischievous.
3. Having a magical quality or charm; fairylike: moved across the dimly lit stage with elfin grace.

elf·ish also elv·ish -- adjective

1. Of or relating to elves.
2. Prankish; mischievous.

It's the same with dwarf -- dwarfin/dwarfish and dwarven/dwarvish. Tolkien revived the older style. Somewhere or other in the Letters he sets out the argument why this is in fact the correct form but I don't know where to find it now. He was a philologist, remember. The dainty 'elfin/dwarfin' form is a pseudo-Medieval coinage from the late Renaissance/Shakespearean times.

[inigma]

phonetics knows no spelling style.

Elven and elvish are two totally different sounding phonograms.

Elven can be spelled Elfin, and elvish can be spelled elfish. That is not in dispute.

The difference, I think, is in phonetics, and the "en" sounding ending is meant to imply a straight relationship; whereas the "ish" sounding ending is meant to imply associative relationship.

To prove my point: you can have Elvenish, but never elvishen.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

All of which is completly irrevelent...

*Pauses for a moment*

...Can you imagine your typical fantasy elf putting up with the word 'Elvish'? Waaay to silly. 'Elven' is much more dignified.

So I guess it depends on wether you ask the elf...Or the dwarf.

[inigma]

yeah, just ask an elf.

just dont ask what dwarfs and elves would call the other though. not suitable for children.

[Kamog]

How about Elvian / Dwarvian, Elvese / Dwarvese, Elvers / Dwarvers, Elfie / Dwarfie, Elfatoid / Dwarfatoid...

[Fyron]

Narfie!

[Atrocities]

No, Elfs cannot fire snowballs like bullets from a machine gun, that was just Hollywood being Hollywood.