From loefie to wachie: Zoetermeer has its own dictionary and this is what it contains

Old Zoetermeer residents have known it for a long time, but a large part of the Zoetermeer residents do not. Zoetermeer has its own dictionary. We dug up the book at the Historical Society and found striking, funny but also recognizable words in it.

Fiebeldekwint (very restless type), slop snow (the transition between snow and hail) and a quarretje (a plant that did not grow and bloom) are typical words that appear in the Zoetermeers dictionary. And you will also find a loefie (good luck), a platje (naughty child) and a wachie (police cell). But also words and expressions that we still use today: make a cup of coffee (drink coffee), soup eyes (inflamed eyes) and opdondertje (a little someone).

Boer language

The Zoetermeers dictionary was written in 1981 by Zoetermeerders Jan van der Spek. The dictionary contains more than 250 words and expressions that the Soetermeer of those days used to express feelings and thoughts. It also contains professional jargon from the baker, the butcher and the cattle farmer. The words were used years ago, and sometimes still by older Zoetermeer residents, in everyday life. In cities such as The Hague, the language was seen as Boers. But you actually heard this language throughout Central South Holland. So whether it is really typical Zoetermeer is the question.

Here you can find the Zoetermeers dictionary

Unfortunately, the Zoetermeers dictionary is no longer for sale. If you want to see a copy of the book in real life, you are more than welcome at the Historical Society in the Dorpsstraat, or you can download it here.