An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kirmes

by Friedrich Kluge

Kirmes, f., ‘village fête,’ from MidHG. kirmësse, f., ‘dedication festival,’ for the unrecorded kirchmësse, just as MidHG. kirspil is a variant of kirchspel, n., ‘parish,’ and kirwîhe a variant of kirchwîhe, ‘dedication of a church.’ Kirmes (Du. kerkmis, kermis), lit. ‘mass to celebrate the dedication of a church’ (in Alem. chilbe, from kilchwîhe, Bav. kirta, from kirchtac). Comp. Messe.