The Anglo-Dutch wars. William of Orange landed troops in London in 1688 and took the throne with Mary II. It’s more complicated than that, but it was a whole Thing. Charles II died, leaving James II in charge, but Catholicism was on the way out, and conveniently, William of Orange, a Protestant, was married to Mary II.
The undercurrent of anti-Dutch sentiment started back then still has remnants in the language. See “going Dutch” “Dutch courage” “Dutch treat” “Dutch uncle”. :)
Hrrrm. But, going Dutch and Dutch courage don’t have any specifically anti-Dutch connotation in modern usage and I’ve never heard of a Dutch treat or a Dutch uncle. At least you chaps aren’t French!
Really? I don’t know many Brits who have a bad opinion of the Dutch. I certainly don’t; I’ve never met a Dutch person I didn’t like.
Billy the who now?
The Anglo-Dutch wars. William of Orange landed troops in London in 1688 and took the throne with Mary II. It’s more complicated than that, but it was a whole Thing. Charles II died, leaving James II in charge, but Catholicism was on the way out, and conveniently, William of Orange, a Protestant, was married to Mary II.
The undercurrent of anti-Dutch sentiment started back then still has remnants in the language. See “going Dutch” “Dutch courage” “Dutch treat” “Dutch uncle”. :)
I’m mostly teasing. It’s more funny than serious.
Hrrrm. But, going Dutch and Dutch courage don’t have any specifically anti-Dutch connotation in modern usage and I’ve never heard of a Dutch treat or a Dutch uncle. At least you chaps aren’t French!
Amen. About the only thing that unites Quebec with the rest of Canada is a mutual distaste for the French.