Dutch uncle
Encyclopedia
Dutch uncle is a term for a person who issues frank, harsh, and severe comments and criticism to educate, encourage, or admonish someone. Thus, a "Dutch uncle" is a person who is rather the reverse of what is normally thought of as avuncular or uncle-like (which would be indulgent and permissive).
in the 17th century, England and the Netherlands were at each other’s throats. At this time the English language
gained a whole array of new insults (including "Dutch uncle"), such as:
These terms also gained prominence in 17th century New England
— during their rivalry with New Holland
, which was captured (and later recaptured by the Dutch) during the Second Anglo-Dutch War
.
These colorful (though now incongruous) phrases became part of English usage worldwide, and some are still in use.
. Dutch behaviour is defined in the book Culture Shock! Netherlands: A Survival Guide To Customs and Etiquette as "practical, direct, outspoken, stubborn, well-organised, blunt and thinking they are always right." According to that particular source, these are the alleged reasons behind the English term "Dutch uncle." Another book that advocates this theory is The UnDutchables
, which assigns comparable characteristics to Dutch people: "not lacking in self-esteem . . . caught up in a cycle of endless envy . . . always speak their mind . . . frank, obstinate, blunt", basically summed up by the phrase "the natives thrive on shaking their fingers at and scolding each other."
Still another possible origin may be the marriage of the Dutch William of Orange
, who later became incumbent of the British throne
, to the English Mary II
, in the late 17th century. When the English and Dutch navy were combined during this period the English sailors viewed the Dutch with some resentment, and unwanted advice or orders from Dutch sailors purportedly were said to be from "my Dutch uncle."
Origins
In Britain, at the time of the Anglo-Dutch WarsAnglo-Dutch Wars
The Anglo–Dutch Wars were a series of wars fought between the English and the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries for control over the seas and trade routes. The first war took place during the English Interregnum, and was fought between the Commonwealth of England and the Dutch Republic...
in the 17th century, England and the Netherlands were at each other’s throats. At this time the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
gained a whole array of new insults (including "Dutch uncle"), such as:
|
Dutch Metal Dutch metal is a form of brass being an alloy of copper, 84% and zinc 16%.It is very malleable and ductile and can be beaten into very thin sheets. It is these sheets that are sold as Dutch Metal, for use as metal leaf or imitation gold leaf.... " or "Dutch gold" (cheap alloy resembling gold) Going Dutch "Going Dutch" is a term that indicates that each person participating in a group activity pays for himself or herself, rather than any one person paying for anyone else, particularly in a restaurant bill... " (social date where the invitee pays for himself/herself) |
These terms also gained prominence in 17th century New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
— during their rivalry with New Holland
New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam was a 17th-century Dutch colonial settlement that served as the capital of New Netherland. It later became New York City....
, which was captured (and later recaptured by the Dutch) during the Second Anglo-Dutch War
Second Anglo-Dutch War
The Second Anglo–Dutch War was part of a series of four Anglo–Dutch Wars fought between the English and the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries for control over the seas and trade routes....
.
These colorful (though now incongruous) phrases became part of English usage worldwide, and some are still in use.
Alternative explanations
One other proposed explanation is that the term, often expressed as "talk to one like a Dutch uncle," originated in the early 19th century as an allusion to the sternness and sobriety attributed to the DutchDutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
. Dutch behaviour is defined in the book Culture Shock! Netherlands: A Survival Guide To Customs and Etiquette as "practical, direct, outspoken, stubborn, well-organised, blunt and thinking they are always right." According to that particular source, these are the alleged reasons behind the English term "Dutch uncle." Another book that advocates this theory is The UnDutchables
The UnDutchables
The UnDutchables is a term originally coined by author Colin White who, together with author Laurie Boucke, wrote a book with the same title. The complete title is: The UnDutchables: an observation of the Netherlands, its culture and its inhabitants...
, which assigns comparable characteristics to Dutch people: "not lacking in self-esteem . . . caught up in a cycle of endless envy . . . always speak their mind . . . frank, obstinate, blunt", basically summed up by the phrase "the natives thrive on shaking their fingers at and scolding each other."
Still another possible origin may be the marriage of the Dutch William of Orange
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
, who later became incumbent of the British throne
History of the British Isles
The history of the British Isles has witnessed intermittent periods of competition and cooperation between the people that occupy the various parts of Great Britain, Ireland, and the smaller adjacent islands, which together make up the British Isles, as well as with France, Germany, the Low...
, to the English Mary II
Mary II of England
Mary II was joint Sovereign of England, Scotland, and Ireland with her husband and first cousin, William III and II, from 1689 until her death. William and Mary, both Protestants, became king and queen regnant, respectively, following the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in the deposition of...
, in the late 17th century. When the English and Dutch navy were combined during this period the English sailors viewed the Dutch with some resentment, and unwanted advice or orders from Dutch sailors purportedly were said to be from "my Dutch uncle."