English
Sinterklaas
Sinterklaas comes from Middle Dutch Sinter Clâes.
- Middle Dutchc. 1150–1500Sinter Clâes
- Dutchc. 1500–presentSinterklaas
- Englishearliest quotation 1949same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Middle Dutchc. 1150–1500Sinter Clâes
- Dutchc. 1500–presentSinterklaas
- Englishearliest quotation 1949same form
Earliest quotation: 1949, Laura Lee Hope pseudonym, Freddie in the Sand: “Freddie filled his plate with white and chocolate Christmas…”
Every English word from Middle Dutch Sinter Clâes
Today it means
name Saint Nicholas in a folkloric incarnation, who (in the Low Countries and other parts of Europe) gives presents to children on December 5 or 6.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle Dutch Sinter Clâes / Sinterklaas