Dutch

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Etymology

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From burger (middle-class person) +‎ rups (caterpillar).

Noun

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burgerrups f (plural burgerrupsen, diminutive burgerrupsje n)

  1. (Netherlands, university slang, humorous, somewhat derogatory) Synonym of trein (train)

Usage notes

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  • The word is associated with kakker students (belonging to preppy fraternities and sororities, known as studentenverenigingen), who affect an elitist, upper-class attitude of superiority with regards to the middle-class (though many of them nonetheless belong to that same middle class); this explains the disdainful connotations imparted by this term.
  NODES
eth 3