An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schlegel

by Friedrich Kluge

Schlegel, m., ‘mallet, sledge-hammer, drumstick,’ from MidHG. slęgel, OHG. slęgil, m., ‘implement for beating, club, flail, hammer’; from the root slah, ‘to strike.’ Comp. E. sledge, AS. slęcǧe, f., ‘hammer,’ from the same root.