Well, actually, it does — but it also means a half-dozen other things or so. Join The Man of the West for a look at a word that has offended the Sackville-Bagginses. Also, Gloin says Bilbo looks like a dealer.

Don’t blame me: the punctuation is in the original. Time for another close look at the budding friendship between C.S. Lewis and Tolkien; so long as the former doesn’t keep making terrible poetry suggestions.

Join The Man of the West as he starts the week off talking about one of his favorite characters in the legendarium. And his unfortunate cousin. 

So, Aldarion: maybe, I don’t know, stop being a mariner? We continue with the tale of Aldarion and Erendis, the former of whom is beginning to show some troubling traits.

We return to the tale of Beren as Gorlim visits him in a dream, and he returns to utter devastation. A vow of vengeance follows, and one bad guy definitely gets what’s coming to him.

We return to Hobbiton just as preparations for a massive party are underway: we’re reminded of how important the postal service is, and get a glimpse of hobbit birthday traditions.

We take a closer look at nine different Shire family names in this week’s Word-nerd Wednesday and learn that the majority of them are based on hobbits ummm… enjoying their food.

We return to learn more about Tolkien’s fellow Inkling, C.S. Lewis, and their mutual admiration for “Northernness”. Also, dragons can spoil commutes: just ask Eärendil.

Join The Man of the West as he kicks off this week in appropriate style — then answers a question about Saruman’s hospitality towards his guest at Orthanc.

Tar-Meneldur’s concerns were well-founded, as it turns out. Join The Man of the West for another reading in the tale of Aldarion and Erendis. Also: we finally, and briefly, meet Erendis.

If you ever wondered just how cruel Sauron could be, today’s reading in The Lay of Leithian will answer that question.

The Gaffer has words for Sandyman yet again, while outlandish folk pull into town — including one rather familiar old man with a long white beard and bushy eyebrows. No, not The Man of the West.

Sometimes, the Man of the West imagines his own impertinence would be rebuked, should the Professor be alive to do so. Fortunately, this was just a pedantic proof-reader who didn’t like Tolkien’s spelling.

Step into a meeting of the Kolbítar and learn why Lewis found it so invigorating. Also, talking about the gods and giants of Asgard until 2:30 in the morning… best college days ever.

Join The Man of the West for a speculative question about Fëanor and what he might have thought about the race of Men — if he bothered to think about them at all.

Aldarion sails on his first voyage, and it changes his life — and the lives of people he hasn’t met yet. Meneldur observes the beginning of a problem, while Vëantur becomes an enabler.

We return to the beautiful verses of the Lay of Leithian, only to be reminded that they do not always describing things of beauty. Also: a glimpse of the First Age Dirty Dozen.

It’s time to eavesdrop at the Ivy Bush as the Gaffer tries to fact-check Sandyman and Old Noakes; where are Community Notes when you need them?

The Man of the West digs through the Nomenclature and the Letters to learn more about the name of everyone’s favorite farmer.

We continue our chat about the Inklings and the “literature v. language” divide at Oxford. We ask Professor Tolkien how 1830 hurt his feelings.

Join The Man of the West as he begins Week 35 with terrible puns and an unanswerable question about Shawn’s favorite mariner.

It’s a series filled with long tales, as The Man of the West shifts gears with the first series of Second Age Saturdays. Get your sea-legs on and prepare to set sail as we explore Aldarion & Erendis!

The Man of the West begins an epic series for this inaugural incarnation of First Age Fridays with a dive into The Lay of Leithian. Can you believe it’s not alliterative?

A long-expected run through a long-expected chapter begins today as tongues begin to wag in Hobbiton and Bywater. Which would you rather have: (apparently) perpetual youth, or (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth?

For today’s word-nerdery, the Man of the West brings in some of Dr. Tom Shippey’s finest, including an observation that Gandalf repeatedly ignores the social code. Also, Tolkien regrets French.