boffin
No, this is a word they use here in England. Wikipedia tells all (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boffin). And it was a hobbit family name? Clearly Tolkien referenced this!

I had forgotten about the Inception references! I noticed them totally.

Thanks for this blow-by-blow account. Helps me relive everything without having to rewatch. Which I can't yet cope with. :-)