poespas

Dutch

Etymology

Apophonic reduplication of poes, which is thought to have had an original meaning of “muck”. Compare German Puspas, English pishpash, mishmash.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpus.pɑs/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: poes‧pas

Noun

poespas m (plural poespassen, diminutive poespasje n)

1. fuss, ado, hubbub
2. (obsolete) mash, stew [17th–19th c.]

Usage notes

• Often used in fixed phrases:

zonder (te veel) poespas — without (too much) ado

alle poespas over ... — all the fuss about ...

Synonyms

• heisa
• kouwe drukte
• roerom
• rommelzooi
• omhaal

Descendants

• Afrikaans: poespas
• → Bengali: পিসপাস (piśpaś)
• → Papiamentu: puspas, poespas