An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Aberglaube

by Friedrich Kluge

Aberglaube, m., ‘superstition,’ first occurs in early ModHG. (15th cent.); since Luther it has made its way into ModHG.; orig. a LG. word (comp. Adebar, Demut), as the vowel-sounds indicate. LG. aber, for over, ober, points to OLG. *oƀar-gilóðo (Du. overgeloof), ‘superstition,’ which is formed after the model of Lat. superstitio; comp. Dan. overtro, Sw. öfvertro, but also in MidLG. bîgelôve, Du. bijgeloof.