Where does “Kleinkram” come from?

Kleinkram (German) comes from German klein, from Middle High German klein, from Old High German kleini, from Proto-West Germanic *klainī, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.

Kleinkram (German): trivialities, trivial matters

Definitions

  1. trivialities, trivial matters

Ancestry of “Kleinkram”, step by step

Kleinkram traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via German klein

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Germankleinsmall, little, tiny, wee, small-scale; little,...
2Middle High Germanklein
3Old High Germankleinismall, fine, slender; soft, clean; smart,...
4Proto-West Germanic*klainīfine, small
5Proto-Germanicklainizshining, fine, splendid; tender, precious
6Proto-Indo-Europeang(e)lēi-gleaming
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵel-to swallow; swallow

via German krām

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Germankrāmstuff
2Middle High Germankrāmmerchant tent; wares
3Old High Germankrāmmerchant tent; tent cloth
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵel-Every word from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-Every word from Proto-Germanic klainiz