Ontijten

Ontijten is a Dutch neologism used to describe the process or act of removing or reducing labor or toil, particularly through technology, policy, or organizational change. The term combines the prefix ont- (un-, undoing) with tijten, an archaic Dutch verb related to toil or exertion. In contemporary discourse, ontijten is employed to analyze efforts aimed at freeing people from unnecessary or burdensome work while maintaining or increasing productive capacity.

Etymology and usage notes: Ontijten is formed as a compound of ont- and tijten. The base tijten appears in historical Dutch in the sense of toiling or exerting effort; ontijten therefore conveys the sense of undoing or alleviating toil. The coinage appears mainly in modern discussions of labor, technology, and social policy, and its precise first attestation is not widely documented. Because it is relatively new, usage varies and the term is not fully standardized in everyday language.

Context and applications: In academic articles, policy debates, and opinion writing, ontijten is used to describe projects intended to reduce human labor burdens—such as automation, task redistribution, cooperative work models, or income supports—without sacrificing overall productivity. Proponents often link ontijten to improvements in leisure, well-being, and work-life balance, while critics warn of potential inequities or displacement if gains from reduced toil are not shared broadly.

See also: Automation, Labor policy, Universal basic income, Work-life balance.