Did the word “ogre” use to mean Hungarian?

There has long been a debate surrounding the origins of the word “ogre” and whether it has Hungarian roots. Did it used to mean Hungarian or is this theory just a coincidence?

Debunking the Hungarian connection

TikTok creator Turan Explorer made a video discussing the Hungarian connection to the word “ogre”. The theory proposes that during the initial incursions of Pagan Hungarians into Europe, their devastating raids led to widespread beliefs that they were monstrous entities, giving rise to the term “ogre”. Rumors circulated, painting the Hungarians as the scourge of God, cannibals, and harbingers of the apocalypse — akin to the infamous Huns. A common phrase from that era, “De saggitus Hungarorum, libere nos domine” (“Lord save us from the arrows of the Hungarians”), further fueled this narrative. The Dictionary of the Academy of France even attributes the word’s roots to the Hungarians, though this viewpoint is fiercely disputed.

Orcus and the Etruscan connection

Contrary to the Hungarian theory, many historians contend that the term “ogre” and its derivative “orc” find their origins in the Etruscan mythology surrounding the deity Orcus, known for consuming human flesh. The dispute gains traction when we delve into the earliest usage of “ogre”, credited to the French author Chrétien de Troyes. This historical connection challenges the Hungarian narrative, suggesting a more mythical origin rooted in ancient deities.

Chrétien de Troyes and the Legend of Lancelot

New scholarship adds a fascinating twist to the tale, proposing that Chrétien de Troyes might have woven the legend of Lancelot as political propaganda during the marriage of the French Queen Margaret and the Hungarian king Béla III. In this narrative, Lancelot is an implicit reference to the Hungarian king László, aiming to impress visiting Hungarian dignitaries. This theory connects the word “ogre” to a mixture of political intrigue and mythical storytelling rather than to the Hungarians themselves.

British myths and Tolkien’s influence

Interestingly, Chrétien de Troyes may have drawn inspiration from British myths about creatures residing on the island of Britain before human settlement. A comparable term, “Orcneas”, appears in Beowulf, influencing J.R.R. Tolkien when crafting the concept of orcs in “The Lord of the Rings”. Tolkien and other literary experts believe that the idea of orcs traces back to an Indo-European mythological concept, echoing through millennia.

Beyond Hungarian raids

In assessing these varied explanations, it becomes clear that the argument associating “ogre” with the Hungarians during their European raids is not conclusive. The word’s roots seem to meander through myth, ancient deities, and political maneuvering, rather than a direct link to historical events. For those intrigued by deeper explorations into Hungarian history, mythology, and theories of origin, the TikTok account “Turan Explorer” offers a captivating journey.

For more interesting linguistic facts, read our article about why Hungarian is the strangest language in Europe or English words that are derived from the Hungarian language.

Source: Turan Explorer