Daffadowndilly

[Modi]

It's a name of for flowers of the Nacrissus genus.
I found it in Tolkein's trilogy where Sam was describing Galadriel saying "as white as a daffadowndilly", since then it stuck in my mind, so it would be good to know what's origin is.

[Perry]

I would have searched for a more loftier descriptor for such an ethereal beauty as Galadriel; but Samwise Gamgee is a man of the soil.

[Slava]

Sam's choice here shows a very astute feeling for what is going on in the world. The daffadowndilly is simply British for a daffodil, which is usually yellow.

It's only toward the end of its life, when it is going to seed, that it becomes ethereally white.

[gailr]

Surely you're not describing Galadriel as seedy...

[Slava]

Surely you're not describing Galadriel as seedy...

Goodness no, just fluffy white and coming to the end of her time, when she will sail off on the wind.

[eberntson]

A.A. Milne, of Winnie the Pooh fame, wrote a poem named "Daffadowndilly", but I can't remember it. Although here is a Mother Goose versions:

Daffadowndilly
Has come into town,
In a yellow petticoat
And a green gown. ~~Mother Goose

Also there is a lot of variation on words for daffadills, such as;

Affodil
Daff
Daffy
Daffadilly
Daffodilly
Daffydowndilly
Daffadowndilly
Daffodowndilly
Daffadoondilly

Also daffying, that means to gather daffodils (dates to 1871)

Wow dilly-dallying in the garden has paided off.

~E

[eberntson]

Galadriel as seedy...

Might I explain...

In the garden as some plants mature they become more refined with time, and rarely their color reflects this refinement of there maturity & beauty. Although all the glitters as gold AIN'T. But with maturity of grace & beauty there comes rare-refined beauty, similar to a beautiful women or handsome man becoming a handsome woman & a distinguished elderly man.

For me trees do this the most, such as the beech or the linden trees. Some roses change colors as the blossom ages, either lightening or deepening color.

Remember Sam is a gardener and would notice & know of slow maturing refinement of beauty. (sigh)

~E

[Modi]

I think Sam used this description just to say that her age gives her beauty, not thinking that she might whither soon or later for he knew none that his master's may cause that.
Sam was not the type to put riddles in his words for the wise to catch and understand. He just what he has to say or think he has to.
I don't think trees becomes more beautiful as they age and wither slowly, since they become sometimes twisted and as wrinkled as a tired man. but it does give them presence, whether that of might, solemness or wisdom is up to the person.

P.S: This is completely irrelevant, but shouldn't you, eberntson, say "a handsome woman" instead of "women". And thanks for your interesting musing.