[HPforGrownups] Hardy on "dumbledores" and "hag-rid" (was Re: Name meanin...

[eloiseherisson at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 44273

Brian:
> Been following this thread with both interest and amusement. I was 
> especially intrigued with the "nightmare" connection, and so 
> formulated a theory that is IN NO WAY (to my knowledge) based on any 
> etymological data. What if a nightmare was a spectral horse (ala 
> Piers Anthony) and its' mount was a hag (ala JKR et. al.)? It would 
> therefore follow that "having a nightmare" would be synonymous 
> with "awakening hag-ridden" or "hag-rid" for short. Just a silly 
> train of thought, but fun.
> 
> 

I like silly etymology!
But you're very close to the true etymology, (I *think* - glances nervously 
at Richard).
'Hagridden'  according to my dictionaries has both the meanings 'ridden by 
witches as a horse' and 'to be beset by nightmares or anxieties'. 
But yes, the night-mare thing is just like one of those crossword clues I was 
talking about!

Eloise
Whose own mount is indeed at this moment a night mare, but hopefully not 
hag-ridden. Not until the next time her owner gets on her, at least!


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