dämlich
Meaning
very stupid
Synonyms
Translations
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈdɛːmlɪç/
Etymology
In summary
Borrowed from German Low German form that in standard usage replaced High German dämisch, damisch from the same source. Various theories about the etymology have been suggested: * It may be cognate with Latin tēmētum. * It may be related to taumeln (“to tumble”), but this is unlikely since forms with t- are not attested. * It may be related to dämmern (“to become dim”), but this is also rejected by the Duden and Kluge. * The Duden derives it from the Low German verb dämelen "not quite in one's right mind". * Kluge suggests it is from Proto-Germanic *þēm-, which (along with the Latin cognate tēmulentus (“drunk”)) is from Proto-Indo-European *tem- (“dazed, numbed”). It is not related to Dame, despite popular folk etymology.
Notes
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