deugniet

Dutch

Etymology

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

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

Noun

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

Descendants

  • Negerhollands: deugniets

References

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