An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Mieder

by Friedrich Kluge

Mieder, n., ‘bodice, corset’ (with MidHG. and UpG. i instead of ü, MidHG. üe); from MidHG. müeder, muoder, n., lit. ‘body, bodily form, skin, article of dress enveloping the upper part of the body, stays, bodice, vest,’ OHG. muodar, ‘alvus, belly of a snake’; comp. OLG. mûder, OFris. môther, ‘breast bandage’ (worn by women); Goth., AS., and OIc. *môþr are wanting. The various meanings are specially ascribed to the relation of Leib, ‘body,’ to Leibchen, ‘stays.’ The word has also been connected further with Gr. μήτρα, ‘‘womb,’ as well as with Lat. mâtrix; this leads to its kinship with the cognates of Mutter.