DUTCH COURAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Dutch Courage, a colloquial phrase, refers to the temporary courage or boldness that one may acquire after consuming alcohol or being under its influence, particularly in situations that would typically evoke fear or hesitation. This term is often used to describe individuals who become more outspoken, confident, or brave after imbibing alcoholic beverages.
The origin of the term can be traced back to the 17th century during the Anglo-Dutch wars. At that time, the Dutch soldiers were highly regarded for their bravery and resilience in battle. However, it was also observed that they occasionally indulged in alcoholic beverages before going into combat. This practice led to the association between alcohol and bravery, giving rise to the term "Dutch Courage." The phrase, therefore, does not refer to any specific characteristic of the Dutch people themselves, but rather to the historical context in which the phrase originated.
The concept of Dutch Courage is often used humorously or ironically to depict someone who relies on alcohol as a means to gather courage in challenging or intimidating situations. However, it is important to acknowledge that alcohol-induced confidence is ephemeral and can potentially lead to impaired judgment or decision-making. As such, relying on Dutch Courage as a reliable source of bravery is generally considered unwise and can have negative consequences.
Common Misspellings for DUTCH COURAGE
- sutch courage
- xutch courage
- futch courage
- rutch courage
- eutch courage
- dytch courage
- dhtch courage
- djtch courage
- ditch courage
- d8tch courage
- d7tch courage
- durch courage
- dufch courage
- dugch courage
- duych courage
- du6ch courage
- du5ch courage
- dutxh courage
- dutvh courage
- dutchcourage
Etymology of DUTCH COURAGE
The term "Dutch Courage" refers to when someone displays false bravery or confidence, often through the consumption of alcohol. The etymology of the phrase is uncertain and there are a few theories regarding its origin.
One theory suggests that it originated during the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. British soldiers supposedly noticed that their Dutch counterparts would drink heavily before going into battle. This led the British soldiers to mockingly refer to the alcohol consumption as "Dutch Courage", implying that the Dutch soldiers lacked true bravery without the influence of alcohol.
Another theory suggests that the phrase may have emerged during the Napoleonic Wars. British soldiers saw the Dutch soldiers fighting alongside them and observed that they appeared to be quite courageous, which they attributed to the consumption of jenever, a Dutch gin. Therefore, "Dutch Courage" may have referred to the perceived bravery induced by this spirit.
Similar spelling word for DUTCH COURAGE
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