[MR] RE: New name for Troll (This is a Poll)

Sun Nov 9 14:40:46 PST 2003

At the risk of getting into the impending fray, I have to agree that I
like Troll (even though I personally know several people who don't).
Everyone, everywhere in the SCA knows what the Troll is and asks for
it/heads for it as soon as they reach an event.  Changing the name
within Atlantia might make us more period but it would only serve to
confuse those from other Kingdoms where the name will still be widely
known and used.  To me, it's not very friendly or welcoming to have to
correct a visitor from another Kingdom on what we consider "proper"
terms as soon as they arrive at an event and before they've even entered
it, especially when the rest of the Known World is using a different
term.  

I also have to agree that the very name and the images it brings forth
make me smile and what better way is there to enter an event than
smiling?

Jut my 2 cents...

Yours In Service,
Lady Cicilia Tironi
Barony of Lochmere
Kingdom Deputy for Waterbearing
Deputy Chatelaine

"Purpure, a schnecke issuant from dexter chief argent, in sinister chief
an estoile Or"

-----Original Message-----
From: Brett W. McCoy [mailto:bmccoy at chapelperilous.net] 
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 1:40 PM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [MR] RE: New name for Troll (This is a Poll)

Ceara ni Neill wrote:

> So then where did the name for the little goat-eating monster that 
> lives under the bridge get it's name? I think it's rather appropriate,

> to bribe the guardian to enter the event...

It comes from Teutonic mythology, originally.  Do we even know if "3 
Billy Goats Gruff" is a story from period?

According to this website

http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/billygoats/history.html

the story itself originates from Norway and was first recorded in 1845, 
although likely the story is much older, but how widespread would the 
story have been in the Middle Ages?  If trolls were regarded in this 
fashion all over Europe and other places appropriate for SCA period 
(like Turkey), there might be an argument for its usage, but I daresay 
the use of the term 'troll' is no more appropriate than calling anyone 
who sings or plays music a 'bard'.

Just because something is an SCA tradition does not make it a good 
thing, IMHO.  We all know where traditions like carpet armor and freomn 
canister helms went.  We make efforts to make our clothing and armor 
closer to period, why not our persona also?  Why use words that we know 
are incorrect or inappropriate when there are perfectly fine words from 
period that can be used?

-- Istvan

http://www.chapelperilous.net/
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when you learn that everything is the fault of the younger generation.

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