Have you seen couples on social media who seem to have money for everything all the time, but (or possibly because) they have no kids? The term 'dinkleberg' or 'dinklebergs' can be used to describe them. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this term.
Meaning
The term 'Dinkleberg' is a popular social media term that is used to refer to couples who have large amounts of money because they do not have children.
Sometimes, the plural of the term 'Dinklebergs' can also be used to mean the same thing. The use of both plural and singular are considered valid.
The term is an abbreviation of the term 'DINK', which is a text-based abbreviation and mild insult that stands for “Dual Income, No Kids”.
The derivative 'Dinkleberg' was first mentioned on the show Fairly Odd Parents.
'Dinkleberg' is often used by some social media users on websites like TikTok to mock the spending habits and behavior of high-society or rich couples without kids.
The term is almost similar to the much more familiar expression of “keeping up with the Joneses”, where the Joneses are theoretical neighbors who have more than everyone else in the neighborhood (creating the essential hedonic treadmill of needing to “keep up with others).
The reference can be used as a hashtag, or as part of a status or comment.
Most references to the term 'Dinkleberg' are meant to be humorous, though the term can also be considered with mild offense to the people whom the joke or status might be about.
Example Usage
“Oh, won't you look at the Dinklebergs down the street. They have a sports car, a jet-ski, and they get to eat the expensive cereal. But they also don't have to pay for their kids to get diapers, now do they?”
“My ex-wife wanted a divorce because she wanted to make sure we have a life that's more like the Dinklebergs. Well, I hope that she owns a three-bedroom house just like they do now.”
“Look at their car. I mean... Just. Look. At. Their. Car. Oh, wait, they don't have three kids. #thedinklebergs #holycow”
“Even if I double what I get paid, I'm still not going to look half as great as the Dinklebergs over there with their no kids, and their three cars and their attitude. Damnit.”
Origin
The term 'Dinkleberg' is a reference to the abbreviation “DINK', which stands for “Dual Income, No Kids” couples. The term is meant to reference couples who seem to have inordinate amounts of money to spend because they don't have any children.
The term 'Dinkleberg' itself was first used in the show Fairly Odd Parents, and the Dinkleberg family is the epitome of exactly what the abbreviation DINK describes.
In the show, the Dinkleberg family is used as a running joke that can be compared to the trope of “keeping up with the Joneses”.
The show (and technically the term 'Dinkleberg') has been in use since the show first appeared in 2001, but it would experience a sudden revival in the 2020s thanks to its use on TikTok and the creation of the official Dinkleberg Meme by the show's animators.
The term 'Dinkleberg' is most often used as a mild insult, or humorous in-reference to other internet users who understand the term or joke being made.
Phrases Similar to Dinkleberg
- Joneses
Phrases Opposite to Dinkleberg
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Dinkleberg(s)
- dinkleberg
Ways People May Say Dinkleberg Incorrectly
There are several ways in which the term Dinkleberg may be used in the wrong way or context.
The most common way in which someone can use the term 'Dinkleberg' in the wrong way is to misunderstand the reference (or the term itself).
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Dinkleberg
The correct way to phrase the term 'Dinkleberg' is to use it as a mild insult or joking reference.
The term can be used as a comment or as part of a statement or status, but might also be used as a hashtag for a post where the use of the term is appropriate.
The singular 'Dinkleberg' and plural 'Dinklebergs' are both considered acceptable.