Schlafittchen

Etymology
18th century, but probably older. Generally explained as a reinterpretation (as a diminutive) of, dative plural of obsolete , itself from an underlying , from 🇰🇲, from the way a bird is grabbed by its thrashing wings. This requires that the word is of Central or origin and that southern forms like  are later adaptations.

Noun

 * 1)  something on someone’s back by which they are grabbed in order to push or pull them: the collar, the hem of the jacket, the scruff of the neck