An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Schmetterling

by Friedrich Kluge

Schmetterling, masculine, ‘butterfly,’ Modern High German only; in the earlier periods a term closely connected with Modern High German Falter (Zweifalter) is used. In most of the Modern High German dialects this literary term is also wanting; in Bavarian müllermaler (so too in the Fulda dialectic) or sommervogel, Suabian baufalter or weifalter. In other dialects occur Milchdieb, Molkendieb (Westphalian also molkentövener, smantlecker), Low German Buttervogel or Butterfliege (Anglo-Saxon butorfleóge, English butterfly), which may perhaps explain Modern High German Schmetterling. The latter term is probably derived from Modern High German Schmetten, ‘cream,’ which, like Schmetterling, is native to the eastern part of Middle Germany (see Schmant). Compare further Dutch vlinder.