Pfaffe
German edit
Etymology edit
From Middle High German pfaffe, from Old High German pfaffo, phaffo, an early borrowing from Gothic 𐍀𐌰𐍀𐌰 (papa) demonstrating the effects of the High German consonant shift, from Ancient Greek πάπας (pápas).[1] Cognate to Dutch paap. Doublet of Papst.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
Pfaffe m (weak, genitive Pfaffen, plural Pfaffen)
- (now derogatory) cleric, clergyman
- Synonyms: Geistlicher, Kleriker
- 1808, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust: Der Tragödie erster Teil [Faust, Part One][1]:
- Da die? Sie kam von ihrem Pfaffen, / Der sprach sie aller Sünden frey;
- (please add an English translation of this quotation)
Usage notes edit
The term was originally neutral, but since about the time of the Reformation it ceased to be used with any positive tone; usage today is derogatory.
Declension edit
Declension of Pfaffe [masculine, weak]
Derived terms edit
References edit
- ^ Dennis Green, Language and History in the Early Germanic World (Cambridge 1998) p. 309