Dutch Courage

A feeling of over-confidence inspired by alcohol

TRANSLATION

angetrunkener Mut

STATISTICS

IN THE PRESS

"I'm not sure that a stiff drink before an important speech is such a good idea - most audiences can identify Dutch courage a mile away."

(Gerald Scarfe - Notes of a Successful Public Speaker)

Did you
know?

All languages contain amusing or negative remarks about different regions or nations.

The term "Dutch Courage" means the kind of false courage or over-confidence that is caused by too much alcohol.

With apologies to our friends in Holland, here are two more common English phrases using the word "Dutch":

"Let's go Dutch" & "He's speaking double Dutch"

(1) to go Dutch = getrennte Kasse machen, jeder zahlt für sich selbst

(2) Double Dutch = unverständliche Sprache

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