George Duke wrote on Mon, Dec 12, 2011 11:56 AM EST:
'Patt' or stalemate sounds like german Patzer too. So rule out all of
paddy, pater and patsy and left is 'verpatzen' fitting sound, meaning,
construction and time period. Case closed, and at least one english
etymology book consulted is just plain wrong indicating another language.
Still up in the air is coinage for the stereotypical 'Patzer-designer'?