Zwille

German

Etymology

Sporadically since the 16th century, regular use since the later 20th century. From Low German Twill, Twille, Twele, from Middle Low German twil (“crotch”), from Proto-Germanic *twizlaz, *twizlō, whence also Dutch twil (“kind of lath used in shipbuilding”). Alongside Proto-Germanic *twislaz, *twislō, whence the German doublet Zwiesel and Old English twisla (“bifurcation of a river”). The form Zwille, Zwele exists in a few High German dialects of the Low German borderland. It may have entered standard German thence or directly from Low German. In all these cases the zw- is due to secondary adaptation, perhaps by (etymologically correct) association with zwie-, zwei, Zweig.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtsvɪlə/, [ˈt͡sʋɪlə]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Zwille f (genitive Zwille, plural Zwillen)

1. slingshot
2. (regional) Alternative form of Zwiesel (“crotch of a tree”)

Usage notes

• Zwille (“slingshot”) is often met with in the context of demonstrations and riots, especially by left-wing and right-wing extremists. For similar tools used by children the commoner word is Steinschleuder, at least outside of Low German areas.

Synonyms

• (slingshot): Schleuder; Steinschleuder
• (crotch): Astgabel