An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Bims

by Friedrich Kluge

Bims, neuter, Bimsstein, ‘pumice-stone,’ from the equivalent Middle High German bümez, Old High German bumiz; hence we should expected Modern High German Bümeß. The relation between Kreuz and Latin cruc-em is similar to that between Bümeß and the type, Latin pumic-em (nominative pumex). The i of the Modern High German form is Middle German, as in Kitt, Pilz. From Latin pumex (Italian pomice) are also derived Dutch puimsteen, and Anglo-Saxon pûmicstân. With regard to s for z, see Binse.