doetje

Dutch

Etymology

Of unclear origin, possibly related to dutten (“to doze off”). Also compare dot (“tuft, clump”).[1]

Originally the word only referred to women, but over the course of the twentieth century it became more common to also use it for men who were considered insufficiently masculine.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdut.jə/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: doet‧je

Noun

doetje n (plural doetjes)

  1. (derogatory) a softie, a weak-willed or cowardly person
  2. (archaic, derogatory) an unintelligent or weak-willed woman

References

  1. ^ van der Sijs, Nicoline, editor (2010), “doetje”, in Etymologiebank, Meertens Institute
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