Good question Chris. I don't have the books to hand so need a Lore Master here but I seem to remember that a part of the name 'Gandalf' translates as 'wand'. Looked up the definition of wand and got this; ’noun 1. a slender stick or rod, esp. one used by a magician, conjurer, or diviner. 2. a rod or staff carried as an emblem of one's office or authority. So wand and staff could be interchangeable, especially as in Gandalf's case his wand/staff fulfills both definitions above. In fact wand is probably a more accurate description than staff, I suspect Tolkien made the change to avoid any mix up with the stage magicians and their wands and to further distance LotR from the more childish aspects of TH. Much as he did with the elves and even the Ring itself.

I agree with Petty. The words "wand" and "staff" are interchangeable in Tolkien's usage.

Blimey a conscenus!

I'm trying to keep my mouth shut when reading the Big Bad Serious thread. That might help with the whole consensus thing.

Don't do that GB! You're the heart and soul of the place!

[quote="pettytyrant101":3cj9n7c8]Don't do that GB! You're the heart and soul of the place![/quote:3cj9n7c8] I have to say, the Big Bad Serious Thread is a jolly good place to have a Crabbity Rant. But if I do it too much, Eldo and Odo's heads might explode. [b:3cj9n7c8]GB[/b:3cj9n7c8]