goudkoorts

Dutch

Etymology

From goud (“gold”) +‎ koorts (“fever, disease”). First attested in the 18th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɣɑu̯tˌkoːrts/

• Audio

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• Hyphenation: goud‧koorts

Noun

goudkoorts m or f (uncountable, diminutive goudkoortsje n)

1. A gold fever, gold rush; obsessional search for gold ore
   • 1849 January 6, “Engelsche Post”, in Algemeen Handelsblad, number 5340, page 1:

     Zelfs kondigde de uitgever van het Californian dagblad de staking der uitgave aan, aangezien de goudkoorts hem alle lezers ontnam.

     The publisher of the Californian daily even announced an end to publication, for the gold fever deprived him of all his readers.

2. (figuratively) An excessive lust for profit
   • 1783, F. C. Hulsenkamp, De Hollandsche magnesia alba, beschouwd en bewerkt, publ. by Pieter Hayman, page x.

     Trouwens hy is het niet alleen, die met deeze alledaagſche goudkoorts behebd is.

     Besides he isn't the only one who has been infected with this ordinary lust for profit.

Related terms

• goudkoortsig