Kermis
/ˈkɛr.mɪs/noun
A local fair or festival, especially in Dutch-speaking regions.
Did you know?Kermis comes from a Middle Dutch word for the anniversary mass of a church’s dedication, showing how religious ceremony could evolve into a noisy street fair.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
ecclesia
“church congregation; assembly”
Late Latin
Latin
*ecclesia missa*
“dismissal of the church service; mass”
Old French
Old French
cermis / kermesse
“church feast or fair”
Middle Dutch
Nederlands
kerkmisse
“church mass; annual church festival”
Modern English
English
kermis
“a fair or festival, especially in Dutch contexts”