An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schimpf

by Friedrich Kluge

Schimpf, m., ‘insult, abuse, affront,’ from MidHG. schimpf (parallel form schampf), m., ‘jest, pastime, play, tournament.’ The current meaning first appeared in early ModHG.; yet the older sense ‘jest,’ which belongs to OHG. scimpf, MidHG. schimpf, was retained till the 17th cent. (Logau); comp. Du. schimp, ‘scorn, mockery,’ MidHG. schumpfe, f., ‘paramour’ (lit. ‘she who jests’). The root skimp, ‘to jest,’ which appears in OHG. scimpf, is wanting in the other Teut. dials. It has been connected with Gr. σκώπτω, ‘to jest, deride,’ which, with its double meaning, certainly furnishes an analogy for MidHG. Schimpf.