nikker

Dutch

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈnɪkər/
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: nik‧ker
  • Rhymes: -ɪkər

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch nicker (“nix, nixie”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *nikwus (“nix, water-sprite”). This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Noun

nikker m (plural nikkers, diminutive nikkertje n)

  1. (mythology) A water spirit, especially one who lures (young) people to drown; a neck, nix, nixie
    • 1873, R. R. Rijkens, De reiziger. Aardrijkskundige beschrijvingen en schilderingen. Leesboek voor de hoogste klasse der lagereschool, J. B. Wolters (3rd revised ed.), page 94.
      Het volk in de nabijheid der hooge bergmeren gelooft nog aan allerlei kobolden, elfen, nikkers, water- en berggeesten.
    Synonyms: nix, watergeest

Etymology 2

Borrowed from English nigger, but also influenced by etymology 1 as nixies were believed to be of a dark colour.

Noun

nikker m (plural nikkers, diminutive nikkertje n)

  1. (pejorative, ethnic slur) A nigger

Norwegian Bokmål

Verb

nikker

  1. present tense of nikke
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