Death Eaters: Etymology

[m.bockermann at t-online.de]

No: HPFGUIDX 80279

Alshain wrote:
> 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.


Now me (Ethanol):
If this was not (supposed to be?) a childrens' book, I'd say "Death eater"
would meant *exactly* what is says: someone eating death. "Dead eater" would
express that a little bit clearer, but then people could think that the
eater is dead, not eating something dead.

There have been several examples of ritual cannibalism in history and that
would be the ultimate dark magic. I can imagine a group of evil wizards
doing that to gain eternal life - defeating death, so to speak.

The only thing that stops me from believing this is that this is a
childrens' book. Even if that is the way JKR intended it (which I doubt),
that would never get published.

And yet... there are things that fit worse... And think of the graveyard
scene in GoF - that was pretty evil as well. I can remember a discussion
linking it - either symbolically or realistically to a rape. And if you
think about it, there are quite a lot of so called fairy tales that threaten
with cannibalism. "Haensel and Gretel" from Grimm's fairy tales comes to my
mind.

So what do you think? Is it possible that JKR is going in that direction?

Greetings,
Ethanol