An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Eimer

by Friedrich Kluge

Eimer, m., ‘pail, bucket,’ from the MidHG. eimber, ein-ber, m., OHG. eimbar, einbar, m., n., ‘pail’; corresponds to OSax. êmbar (êmmar), Du. emmer, AS. ā̆mbor, ombor, m., ‘pail.’ Apparently a compound of ein- (Goth. ains) and a noun formed from the root ber (Gr. φερ, Lat. fer), ‘to carry,’ which is discussed under Bahre, Bürde; hence ‘a vessel to be carried by one person’?, or rather ‘a vessel with a handle’?. In reality, however, the words cited are only popular corruptions, which were suggested by Zuber (OHG. zwibar) as well as by OHG. sumbirî(n); for undoubtedly OHG. ambar, AS. ombor, are the older forms, as is also proved by the borrowed words, OSlov. ąborŭ, Pruss. wumbaris, ‘pail’; in that case it would be connected with Gr. ἀμφορά. Note too the diminutives OHG. amprî (MidHG. ęmmer?), AS. ęmbren, ‘pail,’ formed from OHG. sumdbirî(n).