The whole "Share a Coke with" is a brilliant idea. They only have to come up with many different names, and the people do the rest. What does it have to do with blog about Brussels?
Well, I have found this (thanks to Eddy from my work!:)
You probably already know that Belgium is pretty messed up when it comes to languages.
There is Wallonia speaking French. Though they made few differences to make life easier so it is not REAL French (like introducing an actual word nonante for 90, instead of original "four-times-twenty-ten").
There is Flanders speaking Flemish, which is not really a language but a set of dialects of Dutch. Dialects so divergent that they subtitle their own Dutch television in Dutch. And the subtitles differ from what they are saying.
And *TADA* there is Marols. Brusseleir. Brusseleer. Etc. It has many names, one of which I chose as the name of this blog. And yes, it is dialect spoken in Brussels, originally in the Marolles district. It mostly consists of French words and Dutch grammar, but generally it is just a complete mix of both. You can still come across people who can actually speak it, but all real Brusselers can say at least few words.
Now the fun begins.
Sjoeke is a Dutch spelling of Chouke (as the can was produced for Flemish market). Term is used all over Belgium now, though originally it is Marols version of French Chou or Chouchou, which is close enough to Darling. It is one of the most common affectionate names in French I believe. Chou, Mon Chou, Petit Chou.
Chou means cabbage.
Mystery many people face when learning French. Why are French speaking people calling each other cabbage?
It is rather simple. It originally comes from Chou à la crème, which is a sweet dessert, profiterole (for my polish fellow - ptyś!).
Makes more sense to call your loved one a sweet cake with cream than a green vegetable growing on the ground.
