An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Laffe

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laden

An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, L
by Friedrich Kluge, translated by John Francis Davis

Laffe

Lage

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This annotated version expands the abbreviations in the original entry Laffe.

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2692239An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language, L — LaffeJohn Francis DavisFriedrich Kluge

Laffe, masculine, ‘puppy, dandy,’ from Middle High German lape, lappe, masculine, ‘simpleton, dandy.’ The relation of Modern High German Lump to Lumpen makes the existence of Middle High German lappe, ‘dandy,’ as well as *lappe, ‘rags,’ conceivable; yet the Modern High German form has ff compared with the Middle High German pp; compare läppich. Others refer Laffe to Dutch and Low German laf, ‘stale, insipid.’