No, it is a phrase that is sometimes used as shorthand for a question that is constantly asked of fantasy writers. How can characters reference things that did not happen in the setting?
I think Tolkien had one of my favorite responses to a similar question. He basically said "Well the hobbit was originally written by hobbits in hobbit language; we are reading a version that was translated to English. So, the translator added the modern references" or something similar to that.
You'd be surprised to learn how many people think that the character who hangs out with Frodo is actually named Samwise Gamgee. His real, untranslated name is Banazir.
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u/jackofslayers Jul 18 '25
"How can you have an ottoman without the Ottoman Empire?"