Date: Tue, 22 Jul 1997 07:24:37 -0400

From: Robert Kelly kelly[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]BARD.EDU

Subject: Re: Dutch request



a reasonable guess about the negativism of Dutch [treat, kiss, etc.] is

that it reflects more the English character than the Dutch. The Dutch

were, through much of the period of the Netherlands' own formation, the

most vivid rivals and, at times, enemies of the English at sea and in

commerce. When you think about the English habit of humiliating their

neighbors linguistically (Irish bull [stupid literalism], Welsh cattle

[lice], French letter), the Dutch ought to congratulate themselves on

being in good company. I don't think you'll find similar canards about

the Dutch in German, for example, or even French.



RK