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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Why the Dutch are called Dutch...

Okay, so I've been wondering about this... in the Dutch language, if you are from the Netherlands, you are called a "nederlander"... but in English, you are called Dutch. So, I googled it, and here is the answer:

Why are the Dutch called Dutch?

The term Netherlands (Dutch 'Nederland') is relatively recent. Earlier, the Dutch called themselves 'Nederduitsch' (Lower Germans) and indeed considered themselves to be a kind of Germans. Nowadays the Dutch call themselves 'Nederlanders' and only the Germans are referred to as 'Duitsers'. But in English the earlier name has stuck.

Don't you feel smarter? :)

2 comments:

Carolyn said...

ain't google great. Thanks for the info.

Michelle & Luke said...

i am now smarter. by at least 200% :)