An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kibitz

by Friedrich Kluge

Kibitz, m., ‘lapwing,’ with numerous dial. forms varying at different periods; they are all due to a corruption of a term the etymology of which was not understood; in MidHG. also there are several forms; gîbitze, gîbitz, gîbiȥ occur in the written language. The similarity in sound of the equiv. Russ. čibezŭ and of MidLG. kîvit, Du. kievit, E. peewit, suggests the assumption that Kibitz is of onomatopoetic origin. The suffix resembles that in Stiglitz.