As far as I am aware none of my ancestors spoke Hindustani, Persian, Gypsy, or any related dialects.

— J. R. R. Tolkien, the inveterate philologist in 1938, lecturing the publishing firm of Ruetten & Loening on the proper meaning of the word Aryan. R & L wanted to publish a German translation of The Hobbit. They had asked Tolkien for written assurance that he was an Aryan, and he regretted “I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people.” He expressed his displeasure over their “impertinent and irrelevant inquiries.” (via stfrancis)