Question

The word “Dutch” originally referred to Germans, and even today, the word "Deutschland" means Germany. 1. The country, which is on the coast of the North Sea between Germany and Belgium is also known as Holland.

There are many English expressions that include the word“Dutch.”2. For example, "Dutch courage" means false courage or bravery gotten by drinking alcohol. A "Dutch uncle" is a person who gives unwanted advice. A "Dutch concert" is just a lot of noise and no music. A "Dutch defense" means surrender（投降），although the Dutch never surrendered an inch of their homeland without a heroic fight.

In these phrases the English imply that the Dutch are cheap and not brave enough. 3. When most people think of Holland, they imagine huge fields of tulips（郁金香），tall windmills（风车）and children wearing wooden shoes一pleasant and positive things. So why did the English take such a contrary view of Holland?

4. But as the two countries became interested in the East Indies; they competed to control sea routes leading to the East indies and the valuable goods found there. The Dutch and the English fought three wars at sea between 1652 and 1674. In 1667. when the Dutch bravely blocked off the Thames River near London, England, the English were angry!5. Today relations between the two countries are quite friendly; but the old phrases remain.

A. Most of them have negative meanings.

B . It was during this time that the unfair war of words began.

C. Dutch is one of the closest relatives of both German and English.

D. Take advantage of any Dutch language center as you learn to speak Dutch.

E. Yet the rest of the world views Holland and the Dutch people much differently.

F. Before the 17th century, the Dutch were respected in English writing and language.

G.But in present-day English,“Dutch”refers to people and things coming from the Netherlands.

Answer 1