There are certain words that are used in a language and are impossible to translate. You can try, but it will never be a completely accurate translation that catches its meaning. Such as theZesjescultuurpost.In the Untranslatable Dutch posts, we will explore Dutch words that cannot be simply translated to English. Enjoy!
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Watching another cat without asking… A pottenkijker! (Image by Emmanuel Zensz at Flickr.com under license CC BY 2.0)
Today, we will discuss the wordPottenkijkers(literally “pot watchers”). Apottenkijkeris aspion(spy), abemoeial(busybody), or, as the Dutch dictionaryVan Dalesays:iemand die je op de vingers kijkt(“somebody that looks you on the fingers” – click the link to read what that means). So essentially, apottenkijkeris somebody that is watching curiously without asking. Which has nothing to do with pots! Or does it? Where does this word come from?
The origin
It is unclear what the origin of the word exactly is. Here are two suggestions, though.
The toilet
In the TV showToen Geluk Nog Heel Gewoon Was(When Happiness Was Still Totally Normal), Simon suggests that the word comes from when the firstpot(toilet) was placed. To see the sensation, all visitors would check out the newpot– and so the wordpottenkijkercame into existence. It is a comedy show, so this is probably rather a joke than anything else.
What’s for dinner?
Other, more plausible explanations refer topotin the sense ofkookpot(cooking pot). For example, when the man came into the kitchen to see what was on the stove for dinner. He would check out the pots, see what his wife is making – apottenkijker. And because his wife feels intruded and interrupted while cooking, he is an obviouspottenkijker.
Het keukenlampje
The wordpottenkijkerdoes not only refer to an obtrusive observer. Apottenkijkercan also be akeukenlampje(little kitchen lamp), that hangs above thefornuis(stove), so to it easier to look inside the pots. This seems to relate to the “what’s for dinner?” theory – so maybe that is the one!
Oh, and by the way, if you are wondering:potdoes not refer to marihuana in the Netherlands.
What do you think – where does this word come from? Do you have a word like this in your language? Let me know in the comments below!
Comments:
Anita:
I was told by my Dutch friends that “pot” is also a slang term for lesbian.
Sten:
@AnitaYes, that is right. Who knows, maybe it comes from that?
Bram:
To my understanding, definitely someone who checks the pots to see what’s for dinner. That’s all groovy unless it’s an uninvited guest.