The word "knittel" is a German loanword that has made its way into English. It is pronounced /ˈnɪt(ə)l/ with a silent 'k' and a hard 't' sound. The spelling of the word can be traced back to its origins in Middle High German, where the 'k' was used to indicate a sharp, plosive sound at the beginning of a word. Today, the word "knittel" is used in English to refer to a short poem or ballad, typically composed in rhymed couplets.
The word "knittel" is derived from Middle English "knittle", which came from the Old English "cnyttan" meaning "to tie or knot". Over time, "knittle" evolved to refer to a small, short, and light stick or baton used for playing games. This sense of the word eventually faded, and "knittel" is now mainly used as a poetic term, referring to a short poem or verse.