mijn naam is haas

Dutch

Etymology

Calque of German mein Name ist Hase, Victor von Hase's famous denial. The German surname Hase was reinterpreted as the common noun haas, so the Dutch literally means “my name is hare”. Popularised by the song of the same name by the Lowland Trio released in 1973, but attested as early as the late 19th century.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmɛi̯n ˌnaːm ɪs ˈɦaːs/ (note the divergent, emphatic stress pattern for “mijn naam”)

Phrase

mijn naam is haas

  1. I don't know, I don't know anything about anything, no clue

Usage notes

Often preceded or followed by the synonymous clause ik weet van niets or ik weet van niks.

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