An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Ohrfeige

by Friedrich Kluge

Ohrfeige, f., ‘box on the ear,’ first occurs in early ModHG., similar to Du. oorvijg; usually regarded as a facetious corruption of Du. oorveeg, ‘box on the ear,’ in which veeg (cognate with ModHG. fegen) signifies ‘stroke, cut.’ It may, like Dachtel, Kopfnüsse, Maulschelle (prop. a kind of pastry), be a euphemistic expression.