mijn naam is haas

Dutch

Etymology

Calque of German mein Name ist Hase, German student Victor von Hase's famous denial. The German surname Hase, which literally means “hare”, was replaced with the Dutch common noun haas. The phrase was popularised by the song of the same name by the Lowland Trio released in 1973, but attested as early as the late 19th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmɛi̯n ˌnaːm ɪs ˈɦaːs/ (note the divergent, emphatic stress pattern for “mijn naam”)

Phrase

mijn naam is haas

1. (chiefly Netherlands) I don't know, I don't know anything about anything, no clue

Usage notes

• Often preceded or followed by the synonymous clause ik weet van niets or ik weet van niks.