TNTL 118/4

F. de Tollenaere

Etymologica: Paling, Koppig

Abstract -- The etymology of Du. paling ‘eel’, is considered to be unknown. It originated probably as a phallic pun. Older forms such as: paeldinc [c.1375], pâlathing [1111] and pâlezinc [1080], suggest a compound of ODu. pâla ‘pole’ and thinc ‘thing’, euphem. for ‘phallus’.
The etymology of Du. koppig: a translation of F. têtu according to the Leenwoordenboek [1996] by Nicoline van der Sijs, stands a fair chance of hitting the nail right on the head.

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