A Dictionary of Dutchness

Reljeugd

Reljeugd is the handy Dutch collective noun for young trouble-makers or hooligans. The word features prominently in newspaper headlines these days, often coupled with ‘Moroccan’ as a qualifier, as in ‘MPs fed up with Moroccan reljeugd’. Reljeugd should not be confused with reli-jeugd – or religious youngsters – who are often orthodox Christians.