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Usually derived from GermanMaulaffe(“gaping fool, gaper”), from Maul(“mouth”) + Affe(“ape, monkey”). However, the German word is attested no earlier than the Polish (both 15th century), it never actually means “ape”, and it poses various phonetic difficulties. The Wörterbuch der deutschen Lehnwörter therefore casts doubt on the derivation.
^ Małpa in: A. de Vincenz & G. Hentschel: Wörterbuch der deutschen Lehnwörter in der polnischen Schrift- und Standardsprache, Göttingen/Oldenburg, 1981-2010.
Further reading
małpa in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
