Dutch In English

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

Dutch in English
English uses the word Dutch to refer to language and people from
The Netherlands. Although this word is the same as German "Deutsch" the
mother country, both words go back to the ig. teuta: "people,
folk". This might explain the German saying "auf gut Deutsch": in
plain English or "mit jdm deutsch reden "to speak bluntly with sb.
People in Holland are still very sensitive to anything which is Deutsch
perhaps because of the history or neighbourhood or both. Generally
speaking the Germans are friendlier to their little neighbouring
sister. At least this is what I have heard and seen.

Now lots of things which are negative in English are referred to as
Dutch:
Go dutch: split the bill (the Dutch being stingy)
Dutch courage: false courage gained through drinking alcohol.

There is another expression I found in a book which might not be known
to some of you:
Dutch books. when doing people out of money by using mathematical
tricks. The way how the Dutch did people out of money is described in
detail. Some people explain why the English write the sound "f" in
"enough" with a "gh" and not an "f" by saying that those
people who were in charge of printing were Dutch and they were paid by
letters. The Dutch of course wanted to earn more money so they chose
"gh" instead of "f".

Of course history and competition play a role in painting such a
negative picture. Could anybody provide some more examples and some
insight into this matter. No intention to hurt Dutch friends is
intended.
Regards
Jamshid

[Tdol]

The negative expressions about the Dutch, apparently, date back to the wars we had with them in the 17th century. Otherwise our relationships have been fine- it's interesting that so many negative idioms emerged in such a short period- we can add Dutch treat, Dutch uncle, etc.

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

Hi Tdol
Some people say the Dutch didn't choose "gh" for enough in order to earn more money but because "gh" is a Dutch sound anyway like the Scottish sound "ch" in the word "loch". After all the German word for enough: "genug" has nearly the same sound "ch" too. Yes, I agree the two nations were rivals perhaps because the two of them were seafaring and neighbouring nations. In addition Dutch or Deutsch which is Germanic is the origin of English.
Regards
Jamshid

[Tdol]

The 'gh' sound was pronounced in England until the Norman invasion and their confusion of a letter with 'g'.