An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Wange

by Friedrich Kluge

Wange, f., ‘cheek,’ from the equiv. MidHG. wange, OHG. wanga, n.; Goth. *waggô, n., ‘cheek,’ may be inferred from waggareis, ‘pillow.’ Comp. OSax. wanga, Du. wang, AS. wǫnge (E. wangtooth, ‘jaw- tooth’); the borrowed Ital. word guancia, ‘cheek,’ presupposes a term *wankja. The early history of the word is uncertain. AS. wǫng, OIc. vangr, Goth. waggs, ‘field, plain,’ are usually regarded as the nearest cognates, Wange being explained as ‘surface of the face.’ Most of the names for parts of the body have, however, no such origin.