An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Mieze

by Friedrich Kluge

Mieze, f., ‘pussy,’ ModHG. only; it is either the modern Bav. pet name for Maria, ‘Mary,’ just as Hinz, the pet name for the tom-cat, is connected with Heinrich, ‘Henry,’ or it is a recent onomatopoetic form like the phonetically cognate Ital micio, and the corresponding Rom. class. The ModHG. mianuen, mauen, are also onomatopoetic forme.