Re: Etymology of "Ketzer"


"Pierre Jelenc" <rcpj@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:e5qfep$b0u$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Heidi Graw <heidigraw@xxxxxxx> writes:

I'm curious about the etymology of the German word "Ketzer" which means
"heretic" in English.

Pierre wrote:
Said to be from the Greek "katharos" (pure, unblemished) which was applied
during the middle-ages to various neo-manichean religious sects (Cathars,
Albigeois). However Hellquist's Swedish Etymological Dictionary points
rather to a Middle-Low-German "quetsen" (to defile, pollute, desecrate)
that is akin to German "quetschen" (to crush).

Thanks, Pierre.

I had come across information that claims "Ketzer" was a German word play on
"Cathars"... Kat-ars...kitty butts.
Word play is simply that...word play designed to insult the Cathars. Word
play is not scientific etymology. Apparently, tales were told that heretics
(witches) kissed kitty butts and that the word "Ketzer" is in reference to a
cat worshipping cult.

Going from quetschen to Ketzen appears more reliable and realistic. If
anyone else has more information to add about this word, I'd love to hear
about it.

Thanks,
Heidi





Pierre
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