Where does “dorpsgek” come from?

dorpsgek (Dutch) comes from Dutch dorp, from Middle Dutch dorp, from Old Dutch thorp, from Proto-West Germanic þorp, from Proto-Germanic þurpą, from Proto-Indo-European treb- — settlement, dwelling; to build, dwell.

dorpsgek (Dutch): village idiot

Definitions

  1. village idiot

Ancestry of “dorpsgek”, step by step

dorpsgek traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Dutch dorp

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchdorpvillage, small settlement
2Middle Dutchdorpfarmstead, estate
3Old Dutchthorpvillage
4Proto-West Germanicþorpvillage, rural settlement; gathering of people;...
5Proto-Germanicþurpąvillage, rural settlement; gathering of people;...
6Proto-Indo-Europeantreb-settlement, dwelling; to build, dwell

via Dutch gek

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchgekcrazy, mad; ludicrous, farcical; silly, playful
2Middle Dutchgeckmadman
Every word from Proto-Indo-European treb-