Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Atlantic Monthly. From Pennsylvania German panhas, ponhaws and its etymon German regional (West, Central) Panhas, Pannhas, Pannhass, Panass, Pannas, Pannasch from German regional (Low German, originally and chiefly Westphalia) Panhas, alteration of Pannharst, lit. ‘pan roast’ (Middle Low German panharst from pan + harst roast meat, transferred use of harst grill, of uncertain origin).