Quote:
Originally Posted by CommonReader
"Streicher" is a component of "Landstreicher" (tramp). The connection is quite obvious and quite appropriate for the dubious reputation he has in Bree.
A "Gau" was a Germanic settlement area usually with natural borders. The term fits the Shire pretty well. Unfortunately in Germany the term "Gau" was brought back into service by the Nazis and therefore it couldn't be used.
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Thanks for the explanation. In that case, "Gouw" in Dutch makes sense. I didn't know about the German word "Gau", but then again, I don't speak or read German nearly as much as Dutch and English. I've never encountered the word "Gouw" or something similar outside of Lord of the Rings, so I assumed it was just a name made up for that book
