I hold with wearing ironmongery

I re-read LotR last week and I finally understood this title when done

I still don't get it. I haven't read deep enough, I don't think.

Could you point out the passage to us?

Passage? And I assume, bmilder, that you mean the title Lord of the Rings?
Sorry, I had a bit of trouble following the thread
Brain-fart, you know :lol:

Uh, no, I think why LotR is called LotR is fairly obvious

I meant a passage in the book where ironmongery (whatever that is ) is mentioned. I think Theoden mentions it, but he says "I do NOT hold with wearing ironmongery." Fairly obscure passage though (I'll look for it again).

The passage in question comes at the very end of LOTR. When Sam comes home the Gaffer makes a comment along the lines of: I'm glad to see [Sam] is wearing his waistcoat. I don't hold with wearing ironmongery. Ironmongery is something forged out of iron. The ironmongery in question here would have been Sam's mail shirt (although it's unlikely that would have actually been made of iron; perhaps this is a comment on the Gaffer's, and by extention all hobbits', ignorance of metal technology).

Ok, gotcha. A little slow sometimes.
I belive that you are right, Eruve. I think that it is the Gaffer who says that?

FWIW here is the exact context. Frodo and company are rousing the Shire and Sam comes in with the Gaffer. The Gaffer is unhappy with recent events which have led up to the ruffians taking over and makes this known to Frodo. Then the Gaffer asks if Sam served satisfactorily. Frodo answers yes, to which the Gaffer replies: "It takes a lot o' believing, though I can see he's been mixing in strange company. What's become of his weskit? I don't hold with wearing ironmongery, whether it wears well or no."

Good old gaffer.

"though i can see he's been mixing in strange company. What's come of his weskit? I don't hold with earing ironmongery, wheter it wears well or no."