An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Schlendrian

by Friedrich Kluge

Schlendrian, m., ‘old practice or custom, loafer,’ ModHG. only, formed from LG.; in Du. slender, ‘sauntering gait.’ The d after n represents an older t, which is correctly permutated in HG. schlenzen, ‘to saunter’; comp. MidE. slenten, ‘to saunter.’