Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Why are people from Holland called Dutch and not Hollish?

If you think you've seen this question before, I posted it some time ago in one of my (now deleted) alt accounts.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
Classified · M
Holland is actually only a part of the Netherlands, but often used for the whole country.
Not sure about your question though. All I know is that I'm Dutch and that I live in the Netherlands.
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified It also applies to products as well as people. In 1973 I bought a copy of the single "All The Way From Memphis" by Mott The Hoople, which a few months later I noticed said "Made in Holland" on the label, so I used to describe it as a Hollish import, and of course my friends would say "Hollish? Dutch, you mean". Lol :)
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge They are right, but still not sure what it's called Dutch.
In our own language we use a word that sounds a bit like Netherlandish 😋
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified All the more reason why we should say "Netherlandish" then, isn't it?
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge The Dutch word for someone with a Dutch passport is 'Nederlander' or 'Nederlandse'. The pasport says our nationality is 'Nederlandse'. Due to grammar we can say I am a 'Nederlander', but also I am 'Nederlands'.
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified So that's where the use of the letter "d" instead of "th" comes from? I often wondered that.
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge The Dutch people don't have the 'th' sound in their language naturally. So a number of them say 'dis' when they mean 'this'.
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified I've seen that before but I didn't know where it came from and now you have solved that particular mystery. Thanks. :)
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge Depending on the word the 'th' can get replaced with a 't' sound as well. You're welcome. 😄
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified The French and the Irish tend to sound it like a "t".
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge I didn't know that 🙂
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified It's just what I've observed. I've always been fascinated by different accents.
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge There are a lot of them
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified I know. It's still fascinating learning to recognise them all.
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge How many do you know?
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified I haven't counted, but only a tiny fraction of the amount that exist. Lol :)
Classified · M
@NankerPhelge It'd be impossible to know the majority.
NankerPhelge · 61-69, M
@Classified You are probably right. Lol :)