Toevinkel

Toevinkel is a term used to describe a small, optional hint or aside embedded in instructional or explanatory text. It functions as a marginal remark that provides extra context or a practical shortcut without altering the core steps or facts.

The term is a Dutch neologism that emerged in online writing communities and learning materials. It is typically used to signal that the remark is supplementary rather than essential, and it is kept brief to avoid distracting from the main content.

In practice, a toevinkel is introduced by cues such as Tip: or Note:, and kept short to avoid distraction. It may offer troubleshooting advice, a memory aid, a substitute method, or a quick tip that enhances understanding without changing the primary instructions. Writers aim to keep toevinkels non-intrusive and clearly non-essential.

Examples can appear in various contexts. In a cooking article, a toevinkel might say: For crispier crust, lightly preheat the pan before pouring the batter. In a programming guide, a toevinkel could note: If the input array is empty, return an empty result to avoid errors. The exact content is flexible and depends on the author’s style and audience.

Reception and variants: Some readers appreciate toevinkels as quick-win additions, while others view them as clutter. The concept remains informal and not standardized, and some authors prefer explicit notes or inline tips to maintain clarity. Related notions include marginal notes and sidebars in reference works.