pimpelmees

Second element from mees (“titmouse, chickadee”), first element uncertain. Presumably from a word describing the bird's small size (compare pimpeltje (“small glass”), from pimpelen (“drink with small sips”)). But, the latter words could have instead come from pimpelmees as they are attested a century later. Also compare southern Dutch pepel (“butterfly”) and Flemish pimpaljoentje (“ladybug”). Or, possibly imitative. Or, less likely, from blauw (“blue”), referring to its crown.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɪmpəlˌmeːs/

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• Hyphenation: pim‧pel‧mees

pimpelmees f (plural pimpelmezen, diminutive pimpelmeesje n)

1. blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus

• pimpel

• Etymologiebank.nl - pimpelmees

• pimpelmees on the Dutch Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^nl