Mention the word ‘elf’ nowadays and mostly one has the impression of kindly pixies living in fly agaric mushrooms, eating berries and occasionally helping shoemakers with their workload. Or Legolas or Galadriel in Lord of the rings.
Centuries ago however, people regarded elves as the implacable enemy, always present, ever watchful, constantly hostile to mankind.
Country dwellers named the small flint arrowheads found in so many sites around UK and elsewhere ‘elf shot’ believing they were used to attack people.
The term ‘elf shot’ can also refer to any sudden illness in man or beast. If it couldn’t be explained readily, the elves, mankind’s traditional enemies, were blamed.
The original meaning of the OE ælf is ‘shining, white’ (the OE word for swan ‘ælfitu’ comes from the same root)
Thanks!
)
2008-07-13 @ 21:15