An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kluppe

by Friedrich Kluge

Kluppe, f., ‘pincers,’ from MidHG. kluppe, f., ‘tongs, barnacles, splinter,’ OHG. kluppa, f., ‘tongs.’ Kluppe, like ModHG. Kluft (dial.) ‘tongs,’ is also derived from OTeut. kliuban, ‘to split, cleave’; unfortunately correspondences in other dialects are wanting (Goth. *klubjô?). Comp. klieben, klauben, and Kluft.