mallemolen
Dutch edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Univerbation of malle molen or compound of mal (“silly, crazy”) + -e- + molen (“mill”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
mallemolen f (plural mallemolens, diminutive mallemolentje n)
- (dated, dialect) carousel, merry-go-round [from 17th c.]
- Synonym: draaimolen
- (figurative) madhouse (overwhelming chaotic place, experience or situation)
- (obsolete) vortex [from 18th c.]