Berkum

Potentially attested as barkmen in 1233, attested with certainty as bercmede in 1364. Compound of Middle Dutch berke (“birch, Betula sp.”) and an unknown second element. Compare Bathmen, Besthmen, Diermen, Fortmond, Giethmen, Helpman, Hertme, Ratum, Reutum, Thamen, Wachtum and Wijthmen. Originally an independent hamlet.

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɛr.kʏm/
• Hyphenation: Ber‧kum

Berkum n

1. A neighbourhood of Zwolle, Overijssel, Netherlands.

• van Berkel, Gerard, Samplonius, Kees (2018) “berkum”, in Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard‎ (in Dutch), Mijnbestseller.nl, →ISBN

From Middle High German Berchem, Bergheim. Doublet of Bergheim. Original /rx/ must have been simplified to /rk/ because -g- is never a stop in the Rhineland (except in gemination).

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɛʁkʊm/

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Berkum n (proper noun, genitive Berkums or (optionally with an article) Berkum)

1. A village in Wachtberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany