Dutch uncle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dutch uncle is a term for a person who issues frank and severe comments and criticism to educate, encourage, or admonish someone, often with benevolent intent, as an elder relative or uncle would.
One thought is that the term, often expressed as "talk to one like a Dutch uncle", originated in the early 1800s as an allusion to the sternness and sobriety attributed to the Dutch. Others have speculated that it may allude to qualities attributed to the German word "Deutsch". Still another possible origin is the marriage of William of Orange, who later became the head of the British throne, to Mary II. When the English and Dutch navy were combined during this period the English sailors viewed the Dutch with some resentment, and unwanted advice or orders from Dutch sailors were said to be from "my Dutch uncle".
The Dutch behaviour is defined in the book "Culture shock, a guide to customs and etiquitte, Netherlands" (p.38) as "practical, direct, outspoken, stubborn, well-organised, blunt and thinking they are always right." According to that source, these are the reasons behind the English term Dutch uncle.
[edit] Source
Janin, hunt, Culture shock, a guide to customs and etiquette, Netherlands, London: Kuperard 1998, pp.36, 38-39)
