An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Bims

by Friedrich Kluge

Bims, n., Bimsstein, ‘pumice-stone,’ from the equiv. MidHG. bümez, OHG. bumiz; hence we should expected ModHG. Bümeß. The relation between Kreuz and Lat. cruc-em is similar to that between Bümeß and the type, Lat. pumic-em (nom. pumex). The i of the ModHG. form is MidG., as in Kitt, Pilz. From Lat. pumex (Ital. pomice) are also derived Du. puimsteen, and AS. pûmicstân. With regard to s for z, see Binse.