Maulwurf

From Middle High German mūlwurf, mūlwerf, which is composed of mūl (“mouth”) (see Maul) and wurf (“throwing”) (see werfen).

This is a folk etymological reinterpretation of the earlier term moltwerf, from late Old High German mul(t)wurf, which actually meant "earth(up)thrower," the first element from molta (“earth, dust”) (see Molte). Thus, the original word referred to the mole as a creature that throws up piles of earth. More at English mouldwarp.

• IPA^(key): /ˈmaʊ̯lˌvʊʁf/

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• Audio (Austria):

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• Hyphenation: Maul‧wurf
• Rhymes: -ʊʁf

Maulwurf m (strong, genitive Maulwurfes or Maulwurfs, plural Maulwürfe, feminine Maulwürfin)

1. mole (small, burrowing insectivore of the family Talpidae)
2. (figurative) mole (internal spy)

   Synonyms: U-Boot, Spitzel

• Maulwurfhügel, Maulwurfsgrille
• Schattenwurf, Weitwurf

• “Maulwurf” in Deutsches Wörterbuch von Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm, 16 vols., Leipzig 1854–1961.
• “Maulwurf” in Duden online
• “Maulwurf” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache