The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Species
The larval form of flies (of which there are many species within the order Diptera)
Meaning
Probably from Old English maða, 'maggot' or 'grub'
Other names
Maggots develop into flies as their adult form

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About this entry:

  • Updated 31 August 2024
  • This entry is complete

Maggots

Small grubs, especially the larval stage of certain flies, associated with rot and decay. The term is never used literally in the tales of Middle-earth, but it commonly appears as a favourite insult among the Orcs. In particular, the sturdy Uruk-hai of Isengard would commonly refer to lesser Orcs as 'maggots', with those from the Misty Mountains being more specifically 'mountain-maggots'.

Despite the similarity of the name, maggots of this kind were not connected to the family named Maggot who farmed the lands of the Marish in the Shire. That family's name is simply phonetically similar, and not intended to suggest any kind of direct derivation.


See also...

Maggot-folk

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 31 August 2024
  • This entry is complete

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