Dutch talk

The English equivalent of the expression would be, ‘You’re just there for show’. In other words, people telling you to be in it for bacon and beans might as well have told you not to bother, as what you do or say doesn’t count. For instance, when Dutch children are playing football and someone’s little nephew wants to join in, the older kids might say it’s okay for him to join them, but he will be there just for show, voor spek en bonen, meaning the rules of the game won’t apply to him and no one will really take any notice. Basically, this Dutch expression isn’t a very nice thing to say to people and it might easily annoy someone, so be careful if you try using it. (CvdB)

Illustration: Juan S. Sanchez, Colombia)

Dutch talk

If someone ever tells you, ‘Jij doet voor spek en bonen mee’ (literally, ‘You’re taking part for bacon and beans’), what they’re telling you is that you’re really not playing any part in whatever it is you think you are participating in. The English equivalent of the expression would be, ‘You’re just there for show’. In other words, people telling you to be in it for bacon and beans might as well have told you not to bother, as what you do or say doesn’t count. For instance, when Dutch children are playing football and someone’s little nephew wants to join in, the older kids might say it’s okay for him to join them, but he will be there just for show, voor spek en bonen, meaning the rules of the game won’t apply to him and no one will really take any notice. Basically, this Dutch expression isn’t a very nice thing to say to people and it might easily annoy someone, so be careful if you try using it. (CvdB)

Illustration: Juan S. Sanchez, Colombia)