An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kohlmeise

by Friedrich Kluge

Kohlmeise, f., ‘coalmouse,’ from MidHG. kŏlemeise, f., allied to Kohle, not to Kohl; lit. ‘titmouse with a black head’; AS. cŏlmâse, E. colemouse (a corruption of coalmouse, just as the Germans instinctively connect Kohlmeise with Kohl).