An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Talg

by Friedrich Kluge

Talg, m., ‘tallow,’ ModHG. only, from LG. (talg), hence unknown to Swab. and Bav.; allied to Du. talk, AS. *tealg, E. tallow, OIc. tolgr. Teut. talgo- (tolgo-) cannot be traced farther back; yet note AS. tœlg, ‘colour’ (see Seife). It is scarcely connected with Goth. tulgus, ‘firm’ (Talg, lit. ‘that which has become solid’?). The proper HG. (UpG.) word is Unschlitt.