An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Gabel

by Friedrich Kluge

Gabel, f., ‘fork, shafts (of a vehicle),’ from the equiv. MidHG. gabele, gabel, OHG. gabala, gabal, f.; corresponding to Du. gaffel (hence ModIc. gaffall, ‘fork’), AS. rarely, geaful, m., ‘fork’ (for which, even in the AS. period, forc, E. fork occurs). Gabel seems to be related by gradation to Giebel, and in that case the oldest shape of the fork must have been a sort of acute angle like a gable. Yet the supposition that the word was borrowed is not to be rejected, especially since ‘the form of an acute angle’ can hardly be the prim. meaning of Giebel. Note the correspondence with Kelt. words; OIr. gabul, ‘fork,’ gabhla, ‘shears,’ W. gebel, ‘tongs,’ Lat. gabalus ‘(gable-shaped) gallows’; to these also OInd. gábhasti, ‘fork, shaft,’ may be allied, in which case it would follow that the West Teut. Gabel is perhaps primit. allied to the Kelt. class.