Lappen

See also: lappen and läppen

German

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈlapən/
  • (standard) IPA(key): [ˈläpən], [ˈläpm̩]
  • (northern Germany) IPA(key): [ˈla̝(ʔ)m̩]
  • (Swiss) IPA(key): [ˈlɑp.pən]

Etymology 1

From Middle High German lappe, from Old High German lappo, from Proto-Germanic *lappa-. The form is remarkable because of the unshifted geminate -pp- (instead of expected Old High German *lapfo). Based on the supposedly invariable nature of the consonant shift, lappo would have to be an originally Central and Low German form (compare Old Saxon lappo). This is, however, quite unlikely since the Old High German word is attested as early as the 9th century, and no variants with -pf- exist. The form remains thus unexplained.

Noun

Lappen m (genitive Lappens, plural Lappen, diminutive Läppchen n)

  1. cloth, rag
  2. (anatomy) lobe
  3. (colloquial) driver's license
  4. (youth slang) loser; idiot
Declension
Declension of Lappen
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Lappen die Lappen
genitive eines des Lappens der Lappen
dative einem dem Lappen den Lappen
accusative einen den Lappen die Lappen

Hyponyms
Derived terms
  • durch die Lappen gehen
  • Lappengröße
  • Lappenstoff
  • Lappenzaun
  • Lappenzelt
  • Lappjagd

Etymology 2

Noun

Lappen

  1. plural of Lappe

Further reading
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