angsthaas

From angst (“fear”) +‎ haas (“hare”), a calque of German Angsthase, which could be based on the hare’s flight instinct, but is usually thought to be an alteration of unattested *Angsthose, from Hose (“trousers, pants”); compare Dutch bangebroek, English shit one's pants.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑŋst.ɦaːs/

• Audio:

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• Hyphenation: angst‧haas

angsthaas m (plural angsthazen, diminutive angsthaasje n)

1. a person who is easily scared, scaredy-cat

   Synonyms: bangebroek, schijtebroek, bangepoeperd, bangerd

• angsthazerij