A Dictionary of Dutchness

Papadag

Papadag is the increasingly popular term to describe the day of the week which some fathers take off from work to look after their offspring – often as part of the paternity leave allowance. According to the national statistics office, around 13% of young fathers take advantage of their legal rights to spend one day a week looking after their children. Mothers complain that the washing, ironing and other chores never get done on papadag.