Etymology

From Middle High German schedel ‎(“skull”). Further origin uncertain. Borrowing from Middle Low German schêdel ‎(“top of the head, head, skull”), cognate with German Scheitel ‎(“top of the head, parting of the hair”), suggests itself, but is not embraced in most of the literature.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃɛːdəl/, [ˈʃɛː.dəl], [ˈʃɛː.dl̩] (used naturally in western Germany and Switzerland, generally used by professional speakers)
• IPA^(key): /ˈʃeːdəl/ (overall more common; chiefly northern and eastern regions)