Death Eaters: Etymology

[alshainofthenorth]

No: HPFGUIDX 80256

Apologies if this has been discussed before, I'm not enough of a HP
nut to wade through all that has ever been written on the subject.
Likewise, apologies if this is trivial (but seeing as other names have
been discussed about ten times recently, I'll give it a shot)

The term "Death Eaters" have always puzzled me a bit, JKR isn't one to
take names lightly, and on the other hand, it doesn't really make
sense (whaddayamean, eating death?) So, here's a hypothesis (not quite
a full-fledged theory yet):

'Death Eater' could be a pun on 'necromancer', the word itself coming
of Greek 'nekros' (corpse) and 'manteia' (divination); the art of
divination by communicating with the spirits of the dead. Also, via
folk etymology, known as the Black Art (Lat. 'niger'). In general, a
sorcerer, someone who practises the Dark Arts.

Next part of the joke: Italian 'mangiare' and French 'manger' (to
eat). My Latin's a bit shaky, unfortunately, so I can't trace this
further.

In Tolkien's "The Hobbit", by the way, Sauron goes by the name of The
Necromancer (IIRC).

Plus, it's something that'd fit in the general style of JKR's writing,
a reference to Antique myths with a witty, whimsical twist.

What do you think, bull's eye or just plain bull? :-)

Alshain