An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Lügner

by Friedrich Kluge

Lügner, masculine, ‘liar,’ from Middle High German lügenœre, Old High German luginâri. To this common Teutonic root lug (Aryan lugh), ‘to lie,’ Gothic liugan (preterite liugaida), ‘to marry,’ has no relation; the latter, like Old Frisian logia, ‘to marry,’ is connected rather with Old Irish luige, ‘oath’ (primitive form lughio-). Modern High German lügen is more probably allied to Old Slovenian lŭžą (lŭgati), ‘to lie,’ lŭža, ‘lie.’ From Teutonic, Italian (dialectic) luchina, ‘false story,’ is derived.