doetje
Dutch
editEtymology
editOf 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
editNoun
editdoetje n (plural doetjes)
- (derogatory) A softie, a weak-willed or cowardly person.
- (archaic, derogatory) An unintelligent or weak-willed woman.
References
edit- ^ van der Sijs, Nicoline, editor (2010), “doetje”, in Etymologiebank, Meertens Institute