An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/kauderwelsch
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kauderwelsch, adj., ‘jargon,’ first occurs in early ModHG. allied to an unexplained vb. kaudern, ‘to talk unintelligibly,’ hence ‘strange, unintelligible foreign tongue.’ It seems to have been a Swiss word orig. and allied to Suab. and Swiss kauder, chûder, ‘tow’; or should it be churwelsch?