To discover the etymological origin of the term goblin, you have to know that there are several theories that exist in this regard. Thus, there is one that comes to indicate that it derives from the Indo-Germanic root “dend”, which is used to refer to what is related to the house. Meanwhile, there is another that comes to establish that it emanates from old Castilian, specifically from “duen de casa”, which is synonymous with “owner of a house”. According to abbreviationfinder, GW stands for Goblin Workshop.
An elf is a fantastic being that appears in the mythology of many cultures. In general, it is a creature with a humanoid appearance, although smaller than the average adult person.
According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), goblins are spirits that take the form of children or the elderly and cause various disorders in the places where they live. Goblins, according to popular legends, have the ability to enchant or enchant houses and forests.
It is common for goblins to be presented as humanoids that are less than a meter tall, have pointed ears, and are often pranksters. Another characteristic of goblins is that they manage to sneak away easily, which is why it is very difficult to see and catch them.
As for their moral condition, folklore alludes to good elves helping people and mischievous elves causing them trouble. These inconveniences caused by the goblins, however, are usually not serious.
There are many types of goblins according to each culture. Among the best known are the gnomes, associated with the underground world, mines, forests and gardens. These elves wear large red hats. The leprechaun, meanwhile, is an Irish leprechaun who dresses in green and guards cauldrons filled with gold coins.
The figures of the goblins have given a lot of play both in literature and in the cinema. A good example of this is that there are numerous films with these magical beings as protagonists. This would be the case, for example, of “Leprechaun. The night of the duende”, which premiered in 1993, or “El duende y yo” (1961).
Christmas elves, on the other hand, are little beings who help Santa Claus or Father Christmas. These are elves that make the toys and gifts that Santa Claus then distributes among the children at Christmas.
In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of a Spanish musical group, specifically from Córdoba, which goes by the name “El duende calle”. Among his best-known songs are “Our glass ceiling” or “Barre las penas”.
Of course, we cannot ignore the fact that there is also an expression that uses the term that concerns us now. We are referring to the one that says “having duende”. It is used, especially in the field of flamenco, to indicate that a person, whether dancing, singing or playing an instrument, has a special sensitivity, a high capacity for expression or a different artistic soul that makes them unique.