"Orcs were based on black people."
That's an internet myth.
The word "orc" was used by Tolkien as a synonym for "goblin". His portrayal of goblins was directly lifted from the 1872 novel The Princess and the Goblin which depicted them as ugly gnomes who lived underground.
That's an internet myth.
The word "orc" was used by Tolkien as a synonym for "goblin". His portrayal of goblins was directly lifted from the 1872 novel The Princess and the Goblin which depicted them as ugly gnomes who lived underground.
The word "orc" likely comes from "orcneas", an Old English word that is only known from a single mention in Beowulf and likely describes some sort of undead creature, like a draugr. It may also be a corruption of the word "ogre".
As for goblins (which "orc" was a synonym for), the word "goblin" was one of many words used to describe a number of different mythological creatures from European folklore, along with "gnome" or "fairy". The conception of goblins as monstrous green people is relatively recent.
In fact, in his novel The Princess and the Goblin, George McDonald says in the first chapter that goblins are also known as gnomes or kobolds (the idea that kobolds are lizard people was invented by Dungeons and Dragons).
The modern conception of orcs as a race of giant, war-obsessed ogres was invented and popularized by Dungeons and Dragons. They wanted to make orcs and goblins distinct creatures.
And while I'm on the topic, no, goblins were not based on Jewish stereotypes. Historically, "goblin" was a synonym for "gnome" or "fairy"; a general term for basically any kind of humanoid magical creature. The modern depiction has it's roots in the writings of George McDonald.
In the 10th century Cleopatra Glossary, the Latin word "orcus" is glossed as "orc" or "þyrs", which 19th century antiquarian Thomas Wright translated to "spectre" or "goblin". The Old English word "þyrs" (pronounced "thurs") means monster, giant, demon, or ogre.
Beowulf used the word "þyrs" to describe Grendel, although it's not clear if this was to imply Grendel was a member of a race called þyrs or if Beowulf was just using it as an insult. The similar Old Norse word "þurs" translates to "dunce" or "numbskull".
Being a Romanticist, Tolkien portrayed the elves (who personified his personal idea of virtue) as beautiful, intelligent, and cultured. It follows that the orcs (who personified evil) would be the opposite: ugly, crude, and barbaric.
"Orcs are, like, totally black-coded, you guys! I mean, they're violent, barbaric, and dumb, just like black people! You're racist if you can't see that!" 
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