An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/zimperlich

by Friedrich Kluge

zimperlich, adj., ‘prim. prudish, affected,’ a MidG. form for the genuine UpG. zimpferlich; comp. MidDu. zimperlije, usually simpellje, equiv. to Dan., Norw., and Swed. dial. simper, semper, ‘fastidious,’ E. to simper.