A Dictionary of Dutchness

Ontgroening

If you keep seeing groups of young people cycling round in silly outfits and looking only slightly embarrassed in September, don’t worry. What you are witnessing is the process of ontgroening which literally mean ‘de-greening’, a traditional initiation ceremony for new students hoping to get into a particular student society. The ceremonies can get out of hand – alcohol poisoning being one of the most common complaints.