An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Teller

by Friedrich Kluge

Teller, m., ‘plate, salver,’ from the equiv. MidHG. teller, teler (telier), m.; the word was borrowed in the 14th cent. from Ital. tagliere (Fr. tailloir), ‘chopping board,’ which belongs, like Ital. tagliare (Fr. tailler), ‘to cut to pieces,’ to Ital. taglia, ‘incision’; comp. Fr. détail.