Sure, I am Always Talkin’ Food, but I teach NT2 (Dutch as a second language) on the side. Mainly to young foreigners who came to Amsterdam for or with love and intend to stay. For privacy reasons the names in these columns are fictitious.
Some words are almost impossible to explain in other languages. Especially if you, as befits a language teacher, don’t want to use an English translation.
Provided such exists at all.
Take the Dutch word gezellig. The English “cosy” simply pales in comparison. The Danish hygge and the German gemütlich also come with different user manuals.
But there are more examples.
For instance, my students don't understand the French-originated word ordinair when we come across it in a Dutch text. But try to explain that term to people from various countries who did not grow up with a typical Dutch phenomenon like the vocal group De Toppers, or in whose culture certain outfits or facial features like a heavily fake tan are not necessarily perceived as… ordinair.
For each word carries it’s culture within.
In Dutch, if you call something or someone ordinair, it is not really a compliment.
So, what is it then?
’Does it mean “normal”?’ the French Jeanne wants to know.
Far from it. Even though it would certainly make the most sense.
’Is it the same as “plain”?’ asks Jenny from London, taking into account the somewhat negative vibe she picked up from my description.
Quite the opposite.
’Some would call Kim Kardashian’s early fashion style ordinair,’ I try to clarify the word’s meaning with an apt example.
’Ah, you mean ravishing?’
Later during drinks I get a moment of clarity when Jenny orders a Lellebel, a specialty beer from Amsterdam that is for some reason popular with women.
The bottle’s label features a drawing of the male brewers’ idea of a lellebel, an obsolete abusive term for, let’s say, streetgirl.
This lellebel is blowing huge bubbles with her gum, wearing a minuscule top, micro hot pants, fishnet stockings and platform shoes.
’Given the beer’s name Lellebel, this is what the brewers seem to conceive as ordinair,’ I say pointing at the label.
’OMG, I love her outfit! It's drop-dead gorgeous,’ Joan from the States exclaims with great enthusiasm.
Some words are impossible to explain in other languages.
Food lingo
Specialty beer - het speciaalbiertje
(Bubble) gum - de kauwgom
Toastie - de tosti
F***in’ tasty - ordinair lekker
Ordinair lekker
The girl and boys from high-level restaurants (Klein) Breda and Maris Piper started an artisanal tosti (toastie) shop as a takeaway concept during the Dutch pandemic lockdown, hence the tongue-in-cheek name Paindemie. This year it reopened on a new location, where they now serve much more than just plain tosti’s. Such as a funky black pudding burger, Japanese sandos and possibly the best fries in town. Quality snacks that are, as the Dutch would put it, ordinair lekker.
And that’s a positive thing.
Paindemie, Kinkerstraat 122 Amsterdam. Open: Sun/Wed/Thur 12 noon-10 PM; Fri-Sat 12 noon-00:45 AM.