"The Hobbit" or "The Little Thief"

[TThurston]

I quote two phrases from the wikipedia article on "Ferret":

The name "ferret" is derived from the Latin furittus, meaning "little thief"

A male ferret is called a hob;

This seems an interesting coincidence, since Bilbo, the original hobbit, is selected to join the Thorin's quest in the role of Burglar (or thief). Or perhaps it is not a coincidence, since Tolkien often seems to make little jokes with names of things and their meaning, like Barliman Butterbur (Barley-man better beer).

 

[TThurston]

One more bit to add... Considering the meanings of words, which was at least of some interest to Tolkien, an approximate translation of "the hobbit" might be "the little thief".