An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/platt

by Friedrich Kluge

platt, adj., ‘flat, level, dull, downright’; in MidHG., only MidG. blatefuoȥ and platehuof, ‘flat foot, sole of the foot,’ are recorded. It is most closely connected with Du. (LG.) plat, ‘plat,’ which, like E. dial. plat-footed (i.e. flat-footed), is derived from Rom., Fr. plat, Ital. piatto. Their origin is ascribed to Gr. πλατύς. To this plätten (Du. pletten), ‘to flatten, iron (clothes),’ is allied, as well as Platte, f., ‘flat, dish’ (MidHG. blate, plate, signify only ‘covering for the breast, baldness’), formed from Du. plat, ‘flat,’ Fr. plat, E. plate.