Dutch courage

The false courage obtained from alcohol, one of the many derogatory Dutch phrases in the English language that grew out of the Anglo-Dutch rivalry for control of the seas during the 17th century. English sailors in those days believed the Dutch would not fight unless plied with copious amounts of liquor. A whole host of words pre-fixed by Dutch derives from this old 17th century animosity: Dutch wife (prostitute), Dutch cap (female contraceptive device) Dutch auction (where prices decrease), Dutch uncle (someone who criticises with the frankness of a close relative), double Dutch (to speak gibberish or nonsense) to mention but a few. Anti-Dutch sentiments are also retained in American expressions like Dutch treat which is no treat at all and dates from the 19th century. To go Dutch when people pay for themselves stems from the same source.