snorkel

Where does the word "snorkel" come from? It comes from German schnorcheln, passing through German before entering English (1944 onward).

Snorkel’s story begins in German: schnorcheln meant “to snore, snuffle.” From Low German dialect words for snoring or snuffling, describing a rasping sound. Within German, it grew into Schnorchel by 1944. German navy slang for the WWII U-boat airshaft, named for its snout-like shape and noise. It reached English by 1944 onward as snorkel. German 'Schnorchel', a U-boat breathing tube, from dialect for snout or snore. Today, snorkel means a tube used for breathing while swimming face-down at the surface.

1. Stage 1 · German · early 1900s schnorcheln "to snore, snuffle", from Low German dialect words for snoring or snuffling, describing a rasping sound.
2. Stage 2 · German · 1944 Schnorchel "a submarine's breathing/air tube", German navy slang for the WWII U-boat airshaft, named for its snout-like shape and noise.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1944 onward snorkel "a tube for breathing while swimming just under the surface", German 'Schnorchel', a U-boat breathing tube, from dialect for snout or snore.