An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Kelle

by Friedrich Kluge

Kelle, feminine, ‘ladle, scoop, trowel,’ from Middle High German and Middle Low German kęlle, feminine, ‘ladle, trowel,’ Old High German chęlla, feminine, ‘trowel’; Gothic *kaljô, feminine, is wanting. Although there are a few points of contact between High German Kelle and Anglo-Saxon cylle, cille, feminine, ‘leather bottle or bag, vessel,’ the Anglo-Saxon word is based upon Latin culleus, ‘leather bag,’ or, as is more probable, a genuine Teutonic word has been confused with a borrowed term in Anglo-Saxon.