phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Origin of Going Dutch

Posted by James Briggs on November 12, 2000

In Reply to: Origin of Going Dutch posted by John Beeley on November 12, 2000

: Does anybody know the origin of "Going Dutch"

Dutch: eg "I'm a Dutchman"; "Dutch courage", "Dutch treat". All these come from the time of the 17th century when the Dutch were hated military and commercial rivals. Other examples are; "Dutch auction" (where everything is backwards), "double Dutch" (ie gibberish) and "to go Dutch" (ie to pay for yourself), a variant of Dutch treat.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.