Why Dutch Comfort?

There is a class of English-language expressions that use Dutch as a pejorative qualifier. A ‘Dutch treat’ is when someone invites you out, but you pay for yourself. From here, we get the term “going Dutch.” There is also ‘Dutch courage’ (bravery induced by alcohol); ‘Dutch metal’ (brass that can be used as imitation gold); and ‘Dutch wife’ (a prostitute).

These expressions may have originated during the Anglo-Dutch wars of the 17th and 18th century, when England and the Netherlands were vying to be the world’s leading commercial power. This rivalry spilled over into the New World and these ‘Dutch’ insults gained prominence among New Englanders as a way of slandering the Dutch inhabitants of New Netherlands. As a native New Yorker, I like this idea of my city as home to blunt, outspoken people, the antithesis of the priggish moralism of New England Puritans.

I have always been particularly drawn to the idea of the ‘Dutch Uncle,’ who is not the one who flatters and spoils you but the one who speaks to you the plain and unadorned truth, who instructs you in practical matters. Originally, I had thought to name this the “Dutch Uncle Newsletter,” but there are already enough people out there who label themselves brave and honest truth tellers. The last thing the internet needs is one more of those.

So no, I am not here to be your Dutch Uncle. I am neither that harsh nor that sure of my own advice. Instead, I offer a measure of solace, of comfort, maybe even a bit of relief. I hope you enjoy the writing. And please do share your feedback. I would love to know what’s on your mind.

Most importantly, welcome to Dutch Comfort, where the motto is “Don’t worry! Things could always be worse.”

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J.R. Leonard is an economist, erstwhile paratrooper, and aspiring fiction writer. He is a New Yorker by birth and an expat by circumstance. He Tweets infrequently at @JRLthewriter.