erlking

• erl-king

A part-translation of German Erlkönig, literally ‘alder-king’, a mistranslation of Danish ellerkonge (“king of the elves”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈɜːlkɪŋ/

erlking (plural erlkings)

1. (mythology) In German literature and modern pseudo-mythology, a malicious elf or spirit who preys on children.
   • 1962, Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire:

     This line, and indeed the whole passage (lines 653-664), allude to the well-known poem by Goethe about the erlking, hoary enchanter of the elf-haunted alderwood, who falls in love with the delicate little boy of a belated traveler.

   • 2012, ミラクルミュージカル (lyrics and music), “Murders”, in Hawaii: Part II:

     He was in the forest looking to see the trees / But none were there / He found a girl / She found the erlking

• Klinger, kringle