nonnetje

Dutch
Mergellus albellus (male) in Nederlandsche vogelen, 1770-1829
Mergellus albellus (female) in Nederlandsche vogelen, 1770-1829

Etymology

Literally, “little nun”.

  • The sense "smew" is derived from the black and white coloring of the male's plumage.
  • The sense "mollusk" is said to derive from fishermen's slang, alluding to nuns' chastity: reportedly, the clam is difficult to open with the tongue. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈnɔnətjə/
  • Audio(file)

Noun

nonnetje n (plural nonnetjes)

  1. Diminutive of non
  2. The smew, a type of merganser, Mergellus albellus
    Synonyms: non, kleine zaagbek (obsolete)
  3. The Baltic macoma, Baltic clam, Baltic tellin, Limecola balthica syn. Macoma balthica

Further reading
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