An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kirmes

by Friedrich Kluge

Kirmes, feminine, ‘village fête,’ from Middle High German kirmësse, feminine, ‘dedication festival,’ for the unrecorded kirchmësse, just as Middle High German kirspil is a variant of kirchspel, neuter, ‘parish,’ and kirwîhe a variant of kirchwîhe, ‘dedication of a church.’ Kirmes (Dutch kerkmis, kermis), literally ‘mass to celebrate the dedication of a church’ (in Alemannian chilbe, from kilchwîhe, Bavarian kirta, from kirchtac). Compare Messe.