An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schnippchen

by Friedrich Kluge

Schnippchen, n., ‘snap’ (of the fingers), ModHG. only, allied to schnippen, MidHG. snipfen, (MidG.) snippen, ‘to snap.’ Akin to schnippeln, ‘to snip, chip,’ formed from LG.; comp. Du. snippelen, ‘to cut in pieces, mutilate,’ E. snip. —