An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Zange

by Friedrich Kluge

Zange, f., ‘tongs, pincers,’ from the equiv. MidHG. zange, OHG. zanga, f.; corresponding to Du. tang, AS. tǫnge, E. tongs, and the equiv. OIc. tǫng. The common Teut. tangô- assumes a pre-Teut. dankâ-, which is usually connected with the Sans. root danç (daç), ‘to bite’ (comp. Gr. δάκνω); hence Zange, lit. ‘biter.’ Comp. OHG. zangar, MidHG. zanger, ‘biting, sharp, lively,’ whence Ital. tanghero, ‘unpolished, coarse.’