ausmerzen

Equivalent to aus (“out”) + an unknown element. There are several theories: * From Middle High German merzen (“to trade”), derived from Latin merx (“merchandise”); thus “to remove from commerce, from one’s assortment”. * From März (“March”), because in some regions animals unfit for breeding were singled out from the stock during this month. * From *merksen, from merken (“to mark, notice”) + -sen; compare structurally English mark out. * From *märksen, from Mark (“borderland”, formerly also “lan