Dutch Courage

The English phrase Dutch courage is the act of consuming drink, usually spirits to bolster your confidence but where does it come from. Well it almost certainly has its origins in the 17th century and was coined by English soldiers to describe Dutch soldiers having a dram of genever, the juniper-based drink from which gin evolved to give them confidence before they went into battle.

One theory is that we meant it disdainfully and coined it during one of the Anglo-Dutch Wars (1652-54, 1665-67, 1665-67) when we were fighting against the Dutch. This would be in keeping with all the slang we have for vulgar behaviour we attribute to our European enemies such as French Letter and Dutch Cap.

The second friendlier theory and more likely reason is that it was invented earlier in the century when English mercenaries fought under Dutch command in the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). There’s something rather romantic about the soldiers from different nations joining in this cultural ritual so this is the answer I prefer.

So was it a phrase borne from admiration, disdain or banter? Knowing the British sense of humour, it was probably all three at the same time.

A dram before battle