Dutch

beat all

To be beyond the bounds of imagination or belief, as in a surprising, shocking, or amazing occurrence. Well that beats all! I wasn't expecting to have you here for Christmas!See also: all, beat

beat the Dutch

obsolete To surpass expectation, imagination, or belief. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Look at the fanfare, the fireworks, the massive crowd! This celebration truly beats the Dutch!See also: beat, Dutch

Dutch act

1. The act of committing suicide. The disparaging use of the word "Dutch" is a reference to the fierce rivalry between England and the Dutch in the 17th century. After her daughter died, we were worried that Mary might be tempted to do the Dutch act.2. The act of deserting or fleeing from something, especially military duty. (See above for origin.) Robert is likely to be court-martialed for doing the Dutch act while on active duty in Iraq.See also: act, Dutch

Dutch reckoning

obsolete A bill or other account of charges that is not itemized or detailed in any way and that is usually irregularly high. The disparaging use of the word "Dutch" is a reference to the fierce rivalry between England and the Dutch in the 17th century. At the end of our stay in the country hotel, we were a little nonplussed at the Dutch reckoning with which we were presented by the concierge.See also: Dutch, reckoning

get (one's) Dutch up

To make one angry. Please calm down, I didn't mean to get your Dutch up. This whole situation gets my Dutch up so much—it's amazing that I haven't screamed at the whole staff today.See also: Dutch, get, up

Dutch treat

A situation in which two people agree to split the cost of something or pay for their own share, usually a meal. Since Bob and Sue were just friends, neither ever objected to a Dutch treat when they went out to dinner.See also: Dutch, treat

my old dutch

My spouse. Taken from the 19th-century Albert Chevalier song "My Old Dutch." Primarily heard in UK. Sure, my old dutch and I have had our problems, but we always work it out.See also: Dutch, old

the Dutch have taken Holland

A sarcastic phrase said in response to outdated news. A: "Did you know that Kelly is getting a divorce?" B: "Oh please, that happened months ago. Did you know that the Dutch have taken Holland?"See also: Dutch, have, taken

double Dutch

1. Indecipherable or nonsense speech. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I'm not a programmer, so I have no idea what they're saying in there—it all sounds like double Dutch to me. When you teach preschoolers, you get used to hearing double Dutch all day.2. A style of jumping rope in which two ropes are swung at the same time in opposite directions. I'm pretty good at jumping rope, but I always get tangled up when I try double Dutch.See also: double, Dutch

Dutch auction

An auction in which the asking price is set high and then lowered until someone buys the item. What is this, a Dutch auction? Why is the auctioneer starting out at $1,000 for that piece of junk?See also: auction, Dutch

Dutch courage

1. Liquor. Come down to the bar and join us in drinking some Dutch courage!2. The false sense of confidence induced by alcohol consumption. Joe gets into a lot of fights when he drinks, and I suspect that Dutch courage is to blame.3. Drugs. You didn't bring any Dutch courage? Man, I need to get high tonight!See also: courage, Dutch

Dutch uncle

One who addresses someone severely or critically. Fred is always lecturing me like a Dutch uncle, forgetting the fact that I'm 40 years old!See also: Dutch, uncle

do the Dutch

slang To commit suicide. The disparaging use of the word "Dutch" is a reference to the fierce rivalry between the English and the Dutch in the 17th century. After her daughter died, we were worried that Mary might be tempted to do the Dutch.See also: Dutch

that beats the Dutch

An exclamation of disbelief, as at some surprising, shocking, or amazing occurrence. Well, that beats the Dutch! I wasn't expecting to have you here for Christmas!See also: beat, Dutch, that

don't that beat the Dutch!

An exclamation of disbelief, as at some surprising, shocking, or amazing occurrence. Well, don't that beat the Dutch! It's amazing what phones can do these days.See also: beat, that

go Dutch

To divide a check or bill so that each person contributes to it. You don't have to treat me to dinner—let's go Dutch.See also: Dutch, go

in Dutch (with someone)

In trouble; having triggered someone's disapproval. Mom knows you snuck out, so you're in Dutch now! You'll be in Dutch with your teacher if you don't hand in this assignment on time.See also: Dutch

the Dutch cure

The act of committing suicide when considered the cowardly response for one's ailment or woes. The disparaging use of the word "Dutch" is a reference to the fierce rivalry between England and the Dutch in the 17th century. After her daughter died, we were worried that Mary might be tempted to relieve her grief with the Dutch cure. I always told myself that if I were ever diagnosed with a terminal disease, I'd take the Dutch cure to end it all before life became too miserable.See also: cure, Dutch

be in Dutch (with someone)

To be in trouble; to have triggered someone's disapproval. Mom knows you snuck out, so you're in Dutch now! You'll be in Dutch with your teacher if you don't hand in this assignment on time.See also: Dutch

get in Dutch (with someone)

To be in trouble; to have triggered someone's disapproval. Did you get in Dutch with Mom when she heard about you sneaking out last night? You'll get in Dutch with your teacher if you don't hand in this assignment on time.See also: Dutch, get

double Dutch

1. language or speech that is difficult or impossible to understand. This book on English grammar is written in double Dutch. I can't understand a word. Try to find a lecturer who speaks slowly, not one who speaks double Dutch. 2. a game of jumping rope using two ropes swung simultaneously in opposite directions. The girls were playing double Dutch in the schoolyard.See also: double, Dutch

Dutch auction

an auction or sale that starts off with a high asking price that is then reduced until a buyer is found. (Viewed by some as insulting to the Dutch.) Dutch auctions are rare—most auctioneers start with a lower price than they hope to obtain. My real estate agent advised me to ask a reasonable price for my house rather than get involved with a Dutch auction.See also: auction, Dutch

Dutch courage

unusual or artificial courage arising from the influence of alcohol. (Viewed by some as insulting to the Dutch.) It was Dutch courage that made the football fan attack the policeman. It will take a bit of Dutch courage to make an after-dinner speech.See also: courage, Dutch

Dutch treat

a social occasion where one pays for oneself. (Viewed by some as insulting to the Dutch.) "It's nice of you to ask me out to dinner," she said, "but could we make it a Dutch treat?" The office outing is always a Dutch treat.See also: Dutch, treat

Dutch uncle

a man who gives frank and direct advice to someone. (In the way an uncle might, but not a real relative.) I would not have to lecture you like a Dutch uncle if you were not so extravagant. He acts more like a Dutch uncle than a husband. He's forever telling her what to do in public.See also: Dutch, uncle

go Dutch

[for each person in a pair or a group] to pay for himself or herself. I don't want you to pay for my ticket. Let's go Dutch. Is it still considered a date if you go Dutch?See also: Dutch, go

*in Dutch (with someone)

in trouble with someone. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) I'm in Dutch with my parents for my low grades. You're in Dutch quite often, it seems.See also: Dutch

talk to someone

1. Lit. to speak to someone; to confer with someone. Talk to me! I really want your opinion. I will have to talk to Mark to see what he thinks. 2. Fig. to lecture to someone; to reprimand someone. I wish you would talk to your son. He is creating havoc in the classroom. I am going to have to talk to Roberta. She is not getting things clean.See also: talk

beat all

Surpass anything, especially in a strange or amazing way, as in Adam and his cousin Eve eloped-doesn't that beat all! This phrase appears to have replaced beat the Dutch. It is often used in a negative construction, as in the example. [Slang; first half of 1800s] Also see to beat the band. See also: all, beat

beat the Dutch

see under beat all. See also: beat, Dutch

double Dutch

1. Language that cannot be understood, gibberish, as in They might have been speaking double Dutch, for all I understood. This usage dates from the 1870s (an earlier version, however, had it as high Dutch) and is heard less often today than the synonym double talk. 2. A game of jump rope in which players jump over two ropes swung in a crisscross fashion. See also: double, Dutch

Dutch courage

False courage acquired by drinking liquor, as in He had a quick drink to give him Dutch courage. This idiom alludes to the reputed heavy drinking of the Dutch, and was first referred to in Edmund Waller's Instructions to a Painter (1665): "The Dutch their wine, and all their brandy lose, Disarm'd of that from which their courage grows." See also: courage, Dutch

Dutch treat

An outing or date in which each person pays his or her own expenses. For example, Her parents agreed that she might date if it were a Dutch treat. The related expression go Dutch means "to go on a date with each person paying their own way," as in Students often elect to go Dutch. The first term dates from about 1870, and the variant from the early 1900s. See also: Dutch, treat

Dutch uncle

A stern, candid critic or adviser, as in When I got in trouble with the teacher again, the principal talked to me like a Dutch uncle . This expression, often put as talk to one like a Dutch uncle, presumably alludes to the sternness and sobriety attributed to the Dutch. [Early 1800s] See also: Dutch, uncle

go Dutch

see under Dutch treat. See also: Dutch, go

in Dutch

In trouble or disfavor, as in If I don't finish on time I'll really be in Dutch. This expression may allude to the stern reprimands of a Dutch uncle. [Slang; c. 1850] See also: Dutch

talk to

Also, give a talking to. Scold, reprimand, as in The teacher said he'd have to talk to Jeff after school, or Dad gave us both a good talking to. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s] For talk to like a Dutch uncle, see Dutch uncle. See also: talk

Dutch courage

mainly BRITISHIf you talk about Dutch courage, you mean the feeling of bravery and confidence in yourself that results from drinking alcohol. The survey also noted how some performers used a little Dutch courage to overcome inhibitions. Sometimes before leaving I would drink a glass of vodka on the stairs for Dutch courage. Note: In the past, the Dutch had a reputation for drinking a lot of alcohol. See also: courage, Dutch

go Dutch

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf two or more people go Dutch, they share the cost of the bill for something such as a meal or an evening out. We went Dutch on a cheap Chinese in Shaftesbury Avenue. Many women are happy to go Dutch with a new boyfriend on the first date. Note: You can also say that you have a Dutch treat. He wanted to pay the bill, but I objected and we settled on a Dutch treat.See also: Dutch, go

in Dutch

AMERICAN, OLD-FASHIONEDIf you are in Dutch, you are in trouble. Maybe he was in Dutch again and this time they offered him the chance of paying his debt by chasing me out of town. Doug wants to get Manatelli in Dutch with his boss.See also: Dutch

do the Dutch

commit suicide. North American informal Dutch is short for ‘the Dutch act’: apparently in the 19th century, when the expression originated, the Dutch had a reputation in America for attempting suicide.See also: Dutch

Dutch courage

bravery induced by drinking alcohol. The phrase Dutch courage stems from a long-standing British belief that the Dutch are extraordinarily heavy drinkers.See also: courage, Dutch

a Dutch uncle

a kindly but authoritative figure. Dutch here probably means no more than that the person described is not a genuine blood relation. In the mid 19th century I will talk to him like a Dutch uncle (meaning ‘I will give him a lecture’) was noted as being an American expression. 1999 Daily Telegraph She was the kindest of Dutch uncles, always prepared to listen to one's troubles. See also: Dutch, uncle

go Dutch

share the cost of something equally. An outing or entertainment paid for in this way is a Dutch treat and sharing the cost of a meal in a restaurant is eating Dutch . 1993 Vanity Fair He insists on buying his own tickets, ‘going Dutch’, as he puts it. See also: Dutch, go

in Dutch

in trouble. US informal, dated 1939 Raymond Chandler The Big Sleep And for that amount of money you're willing to get yourself in Dutch with half the law enforcement of this country? See also: Dutch

that beats the Dutch

that is extraordinary or startling. USSee also: beat, Dutch, that

ˌdouble ˈDutch

(British English, informal) language that is impossible to understand: I wish someone would explain this contract in simple language — it’s all double Dutch to me!See also: double, Dutch

ˌDutch ˈcourage

(British English, informal) courage or confidence that you get by drinking alcohol: I was afraid of having to tell my wife about what had happened, so I went to the pub to get some Dutch courage.See also: courage, Dutch

go ˈDutch (with somebody)

(informal) share the cost of a meal, etc. equally with somebody else: She always insists on going Dutch when they go out together.See also: Dutch, go

the Dutch act

and the Dutch cure n. suicide. Well, Ken took the Dutch cure last week. So sad. It was the Dutch act. He ate his gun. See also: act, Dutch

the Dutch cure

verbSee the Dutch actSee also: cure, Dutch

Dutch courage

1. n. liquor; false courage from drinking liquor. A couple of shots of Dutch courage, and he was ready to face anything. 2. n. drugs. Max deals in Dutch courage, as he calls it. See also: courage, Dutch

go Dutch

in. [for two people] to split the cost of something, such as a meal. (see also Dutch treat.) How about dinner tonight? We’ll go Dutch, okay? See also: Dutch, go

in Dutch

mod. in trouble. I didn’t want to get in Dutch with you. See also: Dutch

beat all

To be impressive or amazing. Often used in negative conditional constructions: If that doesn't beat all!See also: all, beat

go Dutch

To pay one's own expenses on a date or outing.See also: Dutch, go

in Dutch

In disfavor or trouble.See also: Dutch

Dutch courage

Boldness induced by drinking. The term alludes to the reputation of the Dutch as heavy drinkers, which in the case of the whiskey-loving British is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. The idea dates back at least to the seventeenth century, when Edmund Waller wrote, “The Dutch their wine, and all their brandy lose, disarm’d of that from which their courage grows” (Instructions to a Painter, 1665). Sir Walter Scott used the term several times, but it may be dying out.See also: courage, Dutch

Dutch treat

A meal or entertainment in which the participants all pay their own way. It is an American term dating from the late nineteenth century and may be derived, one writer suggests, from the thrift observed in Dutch immigrants. However, there was an earlier term, Dutch feast, defined by Francis Grose (A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1785) as an occasion when the host gets drunk before his guests (see also Dutch courage). A more recent version of Dutch treat is going Dutch, which has the identical meaning.See also: Dutch, treat

Dutch uncle, talk (to one) like a

A person who reproves or criticizes someone severely. Dating from the early nineteenth century, the term appeared in print in Joseph C. Neal’s Charcoal Sketches (1837). The precise origin is not known, but it is probably safe to presume that the Dutch were considered a stern, sober people, admirably suited to giving someone a talking-to in no uncertain terms.See also: Dutch, like, talk

Dutch courage

Bravery acquired by drinking alcohol. Political and economic rivals during the 17th century, England and Holland fought a series of wars. English propagandists spread the rumor that Dutch soldiers and sailors developed the necessary nerve to fight only after drinking gin and other alcoholic beverages. The Dutch haven't fared well in the English language. Other unflattering phrases are “Dutch treat (you pay for only yourself), “Dutch uncle” (a stern person, especially one who gave you a lecture you weren't happy about receiving), and “double Dutch” (gibberish).See also: courage, Dutch

Dutch

1. the language of the Netherlands, belonging to the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family and quite closely related to German and English 2. the Dutch the natives, citizens, or inhabitants of the Netherlands 3. See Pennsylvania Dutch

Dutch

a nation (natsiia, nation in the historical sense), the principal inhabitants of the Netherlands. They number approximately 12.6 million (1970, estimate). In addition, approximately 1 million Dutch live in the USA, Canada, the West Indies, Indonesia, and other countries. They speak Dutch. The majority of believers are Protestants (Calvinists and others); there are Catholics, Baptists, and others as well.

The nucleus of the Dutch nationality, which was formed in the 14th and 15th centuries, was composed of Germanic tribes of Frisians, Batavi, Saxons, and Franks, mixed with Celts, all of whom lived in the historical area of Holland in the early Middle Ages. The bourgeois revolution of the 16th century in the Netherlands and the national liberation movement against Spain, promoted the national consolidation of the Dutch people. Regional ethnographic differences among the Dutch are now insignificant. The majority of the Dutch are engaged in industry. The rural population forms a relatively small part of the total population and is engaged mainly in livestock raising, truck farming and floriculture and, in the coastal regions, in fishing. The Flemings, living in the southern provinces of the country, are very closely related to the Dutch in language, origin, and culture.

REFERENCES

Narody zarubezhnoiEvropy, vol. 2.Moscow, 1965.(Bibliography.)
Byvanch, A.W. Nederland in den romeinschein tijd, parts 1–2.Leiden, 1943.
Barnouw, A.J. Dutch: A Portrait Study of the People of Holland. Oxford, 1940.

I. N. GROZDOVA

Dutch

the official language of the Netherlands and one of the two official languages of Belgium; also spoken in the USA and the West Indies. Dutch is spoken by approximately 14 million people (1970, estimate).

Dutch belongs to the West Germanic group of the Indo-European language family. It has the following dialects: northwestern (North Dutch), south central (Brabantine and East Flemish), southwestern (West Flemish and Zeeland), northeastern (Saxon), and southeastern (Limburg).

Phonetic features of Dutch include the presence of the voiceless plosive consonants p, t, and k and an abundance of diphthongs. Stress is dynamic, falling usually on the root syllable. Dutch is an analytic language. Its declensional system has few inflections: nouns are inflected in the common and possessive cases, and personal pronouns are inflected in the subject and object cases. A common gender, opposed to the neuter gender, has evolved from the masculine and feminine genders. Adjectives are not declined. Verbs have two simple and six compound tenses, two voices (active and passive), and three moods (indicative, imperative, and subjunctive). A single supradialectal literary language was formed in the 17th century. However, there are regional differences in the written and spoken forms of the literary language. Dutch uses the Latin alphabet.

F. Engels’ work The Frankish Dialect (1st ed., 1935) pointed out the most important problems in the diachronic study of the Dutch language, and also treated questions of Dutch phonetics, morphology, and lexicology.

REFERENCES

Engels, F. ”Frankskii period.” In K. Marx and F. Engels, Soch., 2nd ed., vol. 19.
Mironov, S. A. Niderlandskii (gollandskii) iazyk. Moscow, 1965.
Mironov, S. A. Morfologiia imeni ν niderlandskom iazyke. Moscow, 1967. (Contains a bibliography.)
Mironov, S. A. Stanovlenie literaturnoi normy sovremennogo niderlandskogo iazyka. Moscow, 1973.
Franck, J. Etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 2nd ed. The Hague, 1930. (Supplemented by C. B. van Haeringen, 1936.)
Fonologie van het Nederlands en het Fries. The Hague, 1959.
Haeringen, C. B. van. Netherlandic Language Research, 2nd ed. Leiden, 1960.
Schönfeld, M. , and Van Loey, A. Historische grammatica van het Nederlands, 7th ed. Zutphen, 1965.
Dale, Van. Groot woordenboek der Nederlandse taal, 9th ed. The Hague, 1970.

S. A. MIRONOV

Dutch

Dutch

dutch

Dutch

Dutch

Dutch

Dutch

Dutch

beat all

beat the Dutch

Dutch act

Dutch reckoning

get (one's) Dutch up

Dutch treat

my old dutch

the Dutch have taken Holland

double Dutch

Dutch auction

Dutch courage

Dutch uncle

do the Dutch

that beats the Dutch

don't that beat the Dutch!

go Dutch

in Dutch (with someone)

the Dutch cure

be in Dutch (with someone)

get in Dutch (with someone)

double Dutch

Dutch auction

Dutch courage

Dutch treat

Dutch uncle

go Dutch

*in Dutch (with someone)

talk to someone

beat all

beat the Dutch

double Dutch

Dutch courage

Dutch treat

Dutch uncle

go Dutch

in Dutch

talk to

Dutch courage

go Dutch

in Dutch

do the Dutch

Dutch courage

a Dutch uncle

go Dutch

in Dutch

that beats the Dutch

ˌdouble ˈDutch

ˌDutch ˈcourage

go ˈDutch (with somebody)

the Dutch act

the Dutch cure

Dutch courage

go Dutch

in Dutch

beat all

go Dutch

in Dutch

Dutch courage

Dutch treat

Dutch uncle, talk (to one) like a

Dutch courage

Dutch

Dutch

Dutch

REFERENCES

Dutch

REFERENCES

Dutch

Dutch

Dutch

Synonyms for Dutch

noun a difficult, often embarrassing situation or condition