Etymology

From German Low German Niednagel, either from unattested Middle Low German or from Dutch nijnagel, nijdnagel (nijnnaghel, 1562). The words may originally be derived from Dutch nijpen, knijpen ‎(“to nip, pinch”). The later form with -d- is due to the belief that such and other harms are caused by other people’s envy (Dutch nijd, Low German Nied, German Neid); compare French envie (“envy” and “hangnail”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈniːtˌnaːgəl/