An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Metzger

by Friedrich Kluge

Metzger, m., from the equiv. MidHG. mętzjœre, mętzjer, m., ‘butcher.’ Adopted in the MidHG. period from MidLat.; at least no better explanation can be found than the derivation from MidLat. macellarius, from which, through the medium of mazil-, OHG. *męzijâri, with a G. accent and mutation, would be evolved. Allied to MidLat. macellum, ‘shambles,’ macellarius, ‘qui carnem in macello vendit’; yet the change of ll into j is not clear, therefore a MidLat. *macearius (OHG. *mezzigâri) has been assumed. From MidLat. macellarius were derived MidHG. mętzler, OHG. męzzilâri, ‘pork-butcher.’