The word "elf" comes from the ancient German language, which means "nightmare"

Legends depict creatures like elves, people are more inclined to harm than help. Even the name itself indicates that they are "evil" nature - the word "elf" comes from the ancient German language, which meant that other, as "a nightmare».

In ancient myths elves sends nightmares to people and abducting human children, leaving the cradle of their foundling. Such children called boobs - hence there was a modern term. Popular superstitions claim that these kids were stupid and ugly. Shakespeare even used the term "idiot" in his plays, and from the 17th century became known as the weak-minded.

Tolkien also borrowed just a beautiful word - "Elf" - but totally changed their mythological nature, making the elves in the beautiful and wise beings. It was Tolkien's work influenced modern ideas - is now almost no one thinks that before the elves would be more appropriate to look in horror movies, but not in the beautiful woods.

via factroom.ru