Dutch edit

Etymology edit

From deugen (to be good) +‎ niet (not); parallel to cognate German Taugenichts and Danish døgenigt (the latter of which took on a somewhat different sense).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈdøːx.nit/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: deug‧niet

Noun edit

deugniet m (plural deugnieten, diminutive deugnietje n)

  1. (originally) good-for-nothing
  2. (usually) rascal, scamp, a naughty boy
  3. (term of endearment) knave, amusing boy

Synonyms edit

Descendants edit

  • Negerhollands: deugniets

References edit

  • M. J. Koenen & J. Endepols, Verklarend Handwoordenboek der Nederlandse Taal (tevens Vreemde-woordentolk), Groningen, Wolters-Noordhoff, 1969 (26th edition) [Dutch dictionary in Dutch]