Tokkie

For the Flemish-Jewish singer (1867-1942), see Bernard Tokkie.

The word tokkie is used in The Netherlands as a pejorative noun for lower class people who often are seen as likely to engage in anti-social behaviour, similar to the British chav, the Irish skanger and the Australian bogan.

The term is derived from the surname Tokkie and came into general use when the Dutch family "De Tokkies"^[1] (who bear some resemblance to the fictional Flodder family from the eponymous Dutch comedy film of the 1980s) gained notoriety when they were portrayed on national television in 2004 and 2005. Of this family only the mother (Hanna Tokkie) bears the surname Tokkie. The other family members bear the surname Ruijmgaart (after the father, Gerrie Ruijmgaart).

The word has been included in the authoritative Van Dale dictionary.^[2]

References

1. ^ The family no one wanted, Expatica 6 August 2004
2. ^ (Dutch) Tokkies willen niet in woordenboek, De Pers, 22 April 2009