struisvogelpolitiek

Dutch

Etymology

From of struisvogel (“ostrich”) +‎ politiek (“politics”), possibly a calque of calque of German Vogel-Strauß-Politik. Named after the common misconception that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when confronted with danger. First attested in 1848.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈstrœy̯s.foː.ɣəl.poː.liˌtik/

• Audio

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• Hyphenation: struis‧vo‧gel‧po‧li‧tiek

Noun

struisvogelpolitiek f (uncountable)

1. (derogatory) An evasive style of politics that fails to address problems by either ignoring them or by creating a false sense of security through (known) ineffective measures; ostrich politics.
   • 1848 August 24, Æneas Mackay, quoted in "Voortzetting der beraadslagingen over de Herziening der Grondwet", Bijvoegsel tot de Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, issue 202, page 2.

     Z.Exc. de minister van justitie heeft dien vijand met moed in 't aangezigt gezien, en niet die struisvogelpolitiek gevolgd, maar den vijand te gemoet gegaan met de grondwet in de hand.

     His Excellency the Minister of Justice has looked that enemy in the face with courage, and hasn't followed those ostrich politics, but approached the enemy with the constitution in his hand.

Descendants

• → Afrikaans: volstruispolitiek (calque, possibly from German or English instead)
• → West Frisian: strúsfûgelpolityk