An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Arsch

by Friedrich Kluge

Arsch, m., ‘arse, fundament,’ according to the analogous cases cited under birschen, from an older Ars, MidHG. and OHG. ars, m., ‘arse.’ It corresponds to the equiv. MidLG. ars, ers, Du. aars, naars (with prefixed n), AS. ears, E. arse, OIc. ars (and rass, comp. argr and ragr, see arg), m., ‘arse.’ Teut. arsa-z, m., from órso-s, is rightly held to be primit. allied to Gr. δῥῥος (ρρ for rs), ‘coccyx, rump’; akin to OIr. err, f., ‘tail, end, point’?. Comp. the remark under Arm.