An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Topf

by Friedrich Kluge

Topf, m., ‘pot,’ from the equiv. MidHG. topf (with the diminutive variant tüpfen), m.; this word, which is rare in MidHG., is wanting in OHG. The primit. word is unknown to UpG. (Hafen being used), yet Alem. has preserved dipfi, düpfi, ‘iron pot with three legs,’ Hess. dippen, ‘pot’ (Luther Töpfen); in Du. and E. the divergent form pot occurs. MidHG. topf, ‘olla,’ is probably more closely related to MidHG. topf, topfe, OHG. topf, tof (topfo), ‘top’ (toy), so too ModHG. dial. Topf, ‘top’ (toy); AS. and E. top is exceptional. The word is based on the Teut. root dup, ‘to be deep, hollow’ (see tief); Topf, lit. ‘that which has been hollowed out.’