Tuigdorp=concentration camp.How Wilders got away with this is shocking.Never Again?

By Jason | December 20, 2011 8:28 AM

this is a very good indicative word for the current state of affairs and present day society in the Netherlands. it is very negative, demeaning and implies discrimination and apartheid - all important fundamental elements of the modern day Dutch culture. they must be so proud! ;)

By Bill | December 20, 2011 9:08 AM

I don't usually go in for pedantry but this article is talking about words which may appear in a respected dictionary. That (occupyer) is not how occupier is spelled.

I understand that there are always politicians and political parties that will adopt populist policies but a dictionary publisher running on-line polls to decide word of the year is just asking for trouble.

As far as Wilders" claim to having coined the word tuigdorp is concerned I agree with the comment @Jason above. Except that its not his original idea:
http://tinyurl.com/tuigdorp

[Editor's note: occupyer is how the word is spelled in the Netherlands, as in ZZP'er or BNN'er.'

The Danish experiment referred to in the link is a project to support the integration of homeless people with a problematic background, according to a DutchNews.nl correspondent.]

By WorkAreaBar | December 20, 2011 1:59 PM

As a Dutch, today was the first time I hear the word "tuigdorp", since this poll was also described in NRC newspaper. I think most Dutch people don't think or speak like that and many are not happy with the tone of the debate. But it seems (@ Bill) the media/ many people like to be outspoken to the extent that it can be hurting - which doesn't mean we all like it. Fortunately many are open and friendly (not in a very expansive way, true) to other people that don't necessarily share yr history or values - "Live and let live" - and we like to keep it like that. Happy our queen sometimes says something sensible ;)

By Carolien | January 15, 2012 11:40 AM