Language of the street and of the synagogue
The Amsterdam dialect was shaped by traders, pub crawlers, comedians and newspaper boys. Major influences:
- Yiddish, the language of the Jewish community: mesjogge (crazy), sjoege (a clue), mazzel (luck).
- Bargoens, the old thieves' cant: smeris (copper), bajes (jail), gajes (riff-raff).
- Street slang, modern Amsterdam talk with Surinamese and Moroccan influences: skeer (broke), osso (house), fissa (party).
Yiddish and Bargoens: the roots of Mokum slang
Around the Waterlooplein, in the so-called Jodenhoek (the Jewish quarter), a unique language mix emerged. Jewish migrants brought Yiddish to Amsterdam, a language written in the Hebrew alphabet but Germanic in origin. This language blended with Dutch and Bargoens into what we now recognise as Plat Amsterdams (broad Amsterdam dialect).
And yes, spelling hardly mattered. Whether you write mesjokke or mesjogge: pronunciation led the way. The same goes for words such as gallish, jatmoes and kwats. Many words were passed on by word of mouth, regardless of spelling or origin.
Real Amsterdam words
- Grijpstuiver - a pathetic little sum of money
- Bijgoochem - a know-it-all or clumsy type
- Pikketanissie - a small drink, a tipple
- Temeier - a prostitute
- Kletsmeier - someone who talks a lot of nonsense
- Gladjanus - a smooth operator who is always one step ahead of others
Bargoens & Jodenhoek
- Smeris: police officer.
- Bajes: prison.
- Snor: cop.
- Gajes: riff-raff.
- Gannef: thief (from Yiddish).
Modern street slang
- Osso: house.
- Fissa: party.
- Skeer: broke, no money.
- Fakka: how's it going?
- Loesoe gaan: to clear off, to leave.
Funny words
- Afgebrande boterham (burnt sandwich): a person with many changing sexual partners.
- Asbak (ashtray): a girl who is easy to pick up ('everyone stubs their fag out in it').
- Aapjeslijn (little monkeys line): the tram to Artis zoo.
- Gleuvenrijder (groove rider): tram driver.
- Mokkel: a hot girl (sorry ladies, but it is typical Mokum).
Typical expressions
- "Dat geef ik je op een brieffie" (I'll give you that on a note): I guarantee it.
- "Effe een bakkie doen" (have a quick cup): to grab a coffee.
- "Maak je niet dik" (don't make yourself fat): take it easy, don't get worked up.
- "Nou moe!": disbelief or astonishment.
Amsterdam dialect is not a dead language, it lives and grows. New influences keep flowing in, but the old words are an echo of a city full of stories. Whether you jump on the tram on the aapjeslijn or haggle at the market like a true bijgoochem: you speak with character. De mazzel! (Cheerio!)
