did orcs used to be elves

Yes, that is a common belief among some scholars and historians. It is said that orcs were once elves, but they were cursed by Morgoth, a powerful evil wizard, and transformed into a race of brutal and savage creatures. This transformation caused a significant amount of tension and conflict between the orcs and the elves, which eventually led to a long and bloody war. The orcs were eventually defeated and pushed into the far corners of Middle Earth, where they remain a dangerous and feared presence to this day.