An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Mops

by Friedrich Kluge

Mops, m., ModHG. only, from the equiv. LG. mops, Du. mops and mop, ‘pug-dog.’ Akin to a Teut. root mup, ‘to distort the face, make grimaces’; comp. late MidHG. muff, mupf, m., ‘wry mouth,’ Du. mopper, ‘to wear a peevish look,’ E. to mop, ‘to gibber,’ MidE. moppe, ‘fool.’ ModHG. Mops, in the sense of ‘stupid fellow, may be explained as indicated by the MidE. word without reference to the name of the Lat. author Mopsus.