Dutchvan lotje getikt
Meaning: To be crazy or eccentric; to be not quite sane.
Literally: Tapped by Lotje
Example: “Ben je van lotje getikt? Zwemmen in december?” — Are you off your rocker? Swimming in December?
English equivalent: Off one's rocker
Equivalents in other languages
English: off one's rocker
Origin: According to the Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, cited by Onze Taal, the phrase was first recorded at the end of the 19th century, and the adjective getikt (crazy) comes from it. Its origin is uncertain. Lotje may be a corruption of lorretje, a pet name for a parrot: the older van lorretje gepikt meant pecked in the head by the parrot, and so not right in the mind. Stoett lists many variants, such as van Nolletje geprikt, and says no conclusive explanation can be given.
More Dutch idioms
- buiten de boot vallen To be left out or excluded from a group or activity.
- ga toch fietsen A rude dismissal telling someone to go away.
- niet veel soeps Unimpressive or mediocre; not worth much.
- in de kiem smoren To nip something in the bud; to stop a problem before it grows.
- veel noten op zijn zang hebben To be demanding or to offer many critical comments.
- voet bij stuk houden To stand firm and refuse to give in to pressure or threats.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Haastige spoed is zelden goed Doing things in a hurry rarely turns out well.
- Zo gewonnen, zo geronnen What comes easily goes just as easily.
- Eendracht maakt macht People who stand together are stronger.
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