Today's list of pejorative Dutch references reminds me that the carpentry term, "dutchman," refers to an inexpensive way of repairing deep scars or mortises in exposed woodwork, especially door frames. The carpenter cuts a wood piece to size, then patches the hole rather than replacing the entire framework with new material. A dutchman repair, of course, saves money.

You could do a whole week on these words, but with today's entry, you practically done the list already.

WELCOME, Mike


I have a friend, handyman of sort, who uses your term
all the time: "dutchman repair". He says he can
fix anything with duck tape and bailing wire.

Hmm..the famous 'Dutch treat'. Good system! Dutch treat is ultimate liberalism and consideration. It is practical. No endless hassle about who's paying now and the next time, your turn my turn, "let me... no on the contrary let me rather..." etc. etc.
No one is forced to share in a shared bill when he only can afford to spend little where others in the company want to play Grandgosier. So the rich man and the poor man can sit at the same table at ease.
And when someone feels like it he/she says 'my treat'.

* Of course this system only works wel in a society without a strong "class distinction", where being poor is not a shame or disgrace.For those who have no money at all others will take care.

Coming to dutchman repear. We have an old saying: Goedkoop is duurkoop. ( lit. Cheap is expensive buy) So it may be practised all over the world, it's not a Dutch recommendation.

As for Dutch uncle, wait till you meet Dutch aunt.

( Yes I know it was the Brits who invented all these myths )

Here in Texas that is known as a "redneck" repair.
A redneck repair kit is a roll of duct tape and a can of WD-40.
If it moves and it shouldn't, use the duct tape.
If it doesn't move and it should, use the WD-40.

But I think we have to realize that in the Anglo world many items labeled 'Dutch' are actually 'Deutsch' instead.
The prime example is "Pennsylvania Dutch"...
I do follow one characteristic of my Dutch ancestry - frugality.
(How was copper wire invented? Two Dutchmen fighting over a cent!) This one was told to me by a woman from Zutphen that worked close to where my grandfather was born.

Funny, that....fighting over a cent.

Haha! That's a notorious one that will always turn op when we have a Belgian against Dutch rally. Nice town Zutphen, friendly and frugal people.

Down here...a 'redneck' is called a 'feral'
and unlikely to fix anything.

a 'feral' That sounds scary!