Bargoens is a Dutch minority language, a form of Dutch slang. More specifically, it is a cant language that arose in the 17th century, and was used by criminals, tramps and travelling salesmen as a secret code, like Spain's Germanía or French Argot. It originates from Rotwelsch and Yiddish. For example, the word bink, borrowed from Romani beng, drifted into "tough guy" from its meaning of the Devil. A false friend may be responsible for the rare meaning of "spouse".