Only in the Netherlands can you encounter peculiar expressions like having a monkey up your sleeve or using the wrong leg to get out of bed. Furthermore, have you ever wondered why Dutch people tend to say 'unfortunately, peanut butter' and nonchalantly walk away as if nothing happened? And don't even get me started on the phrase 'crazy as a door' - what does that even mean?

If you're intrigued by these amusing sayings and want to impress your teacher at your next language class, it's worth delving into their origins. For instance, if you incessantly nitpick and annoy a Dutch person with trivial remarks, they might refer to you as an 'ant fucker' (mierenneuker). This term is similar to the English 'nitpicker,' but it carries a slightly more insulting tone.

Linguists have debated the origin of this expression, with some suggesting its connection to a passage in the Bible. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus mentions how the Pharisees "strain out a gnat but swallow a camel." However, a more plausible explanation traces the phrase back to the French term 'enculeur de mouches', which translates to 'fly fucker'.

Interestingly, in 2005, a judge in the Netherlands ruled that people could freely use the term 'ant fucker' without facing legal repercussions. As a result, this phrase has become a curious linguistic tidbit in Dutch culture.

When the body experiences cold or fear, it reacts by causing the hairs on the arms to stand up, resulting in small bumps on the skin. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "goose flesh" in England and Germany, as it resembles the skin of plucked poultry. Similarly, the Dutch use the term "chicken skin" (kippenvel) to describe the same phenomenon. French and Spanish speakers also have idioms related to chickens, such as "chair de poule" and "la piel de gallina" respectively.

The origins of these expressions can be traced back to the Middle Ages, and are likely influenced by the availability of chickens and geese for consumption in these regions. Conversely, the Dutch have a strong emphasis on punctuality. If you agree to meet them for dinner at six, it is expected that you arrive at exactly six. Failing to do so may result in finding "the dog in the pot" (de hond in de pot vinden). In earlier times, dogs were often allowed to clean out the pots and pans once the meal was finished. Therefore, discovering a dog in the pot indicates that there is no food remaining.

When someone's true character is revealed, it is a common expression in the Netherlands to say "now the monkey comes out of the sleeve" (nu komt de aap uit de mouw). This phrase has several possible origins. Some linguists believe it comes from artists who would literally hide monkeys up their sleeves and make them appear at random moments. Another explanation is that the monkey represents someone behaving like a brat, and it is hidden up their sleeve until their true behavior is revealed. Despite its seemingly gruesome imagery, this expression actually makes sense when taken literally.

In a similar vein, there is another Dutch idiom involving legs. When someone is traveling using their legs, it is expressed as "using a cart made of legs" (de benenwagen). This essentially means that the person is walking. The exact origin of this idiom is unclear, but it likely stems from the cynical humor of Amsterdam street slang. Synonyms for this expression include "the car of the common people" (de auto van het voetvolk) and "vehicle without wheels" (voertuig zonder wielen).

Additionally, the term "buitenbeentje" is used to describe misfits in Dutch. This word is a combination of "buitenbeen" which means outer leg, and the diminutive suffix "tje." It conveys the idea of someone who is different or stands out from the norm.

In Dutch culture, there is a fascinating expression used to describe someone as "a small version of the outer leg," known as "buitenbeentje." The origins of this term can be traced back to the word "buitenbeens," which means to walk in a crooked or non-straight manner. Initially, buitenbeentje was used to characterize individuals who deviated from societal norms, such as children born out of wedlock. However, over time, the meaning of buitenbeentje evolved to refer to someone who doesn't quite fit within their family or community, a misfit.

Another interesting expression you may encounter when communicating with Dutch individuals is "Joost mag het weten!" When faced with a question they don't have an answer to or don't particularly care about, the Dutch may refer you to Joost and use this expression. Surprisingly, when you then approach Joost for an answer, he may act irritated and refrain from providing a response. Here, "Joost mag het weten" is used as a way to indicate that the person doesn't know the answer and also expresses disinterest in finding out. It is important to note that in this expression, "Joost" does not refer to a specific individual but rather symbolizes the devil.

These linguistic peculiarities in Dutch culture highlight the richness and uniqueness of the language, reflecting the historical evolution of societal norms and attitudes.

During the 18th century, the Chinese-Indonesian community worshipped a malevolent deity known as Dejos, believing that failing to honor him would result in misfortune. The god's name was commonly abbreviated to Joos, which was later transformed to Joost. In Dutch culture, when someone offends another person, it is said that they have "long toes" (lange tenen hebben), meaning they are easily offended. The origin of this expression is not clear, but it is likely related to the English idiom "stepping on someone's toes," which dates back to the mid-1800s. The Dutch added their own twist to the expression, portraying the offended person as having exceptionally long toes, making it easier for others to unintentionally insult them. Another Dutch phrase that may sound peculiar is "zo gek als een deur," which translates to "crazy as a door." However, in this expression, the word "door" actually means "fool." So, it implies that the person being referred to is extremely foolish rather than actually insane.

The word "deur" in Dutch can be traced back to the medieval term "dore," which had multiple meanings, including both "door" and "fool." It is interesting to note that this word is related to the English word "door," the German word "Tür," the Nordic word "dør," the Greek word "thúra," and the Russian word "dveri." Linguists have traced the origin of this term to the Pan Indo-European *dhwer-, which means "door" or "doorway."

The Dutch word "dwerg," meaning "dwarf," is also relevant to the discussion of "deur." In the past, "dwerg" was often used to describe a Little Person. During the Middle Ages, Little People often worked as fools in courts, which creates a correlation between the terms "door" and "fool." However, it is important to note that nowadays "deur" is no longer used to refer to a fool, and its usage is limited to this Dutch expression only.

The Netherlands has a rich collection of sayings and idioms related to water and seafaring. One such expression is "dat staat als een paal boven water," which translates to "it stands like a pole above the water." This saying conveys absolute certainty about something. Interestingly, this metaphor can be interpreted quite literally as well; the pole is so visible that anyone with eyes can see it. The exact age of this expression is unclear, but it is believed to have originated several centuries ago.

Overall, the etymology of the word "deur" reveals fascinating linguistic connections and historical references. Its evolution from "dore" to its current usage demonstrates the changes in language and cultural associations over time. Additionally, the Dutch language offers a range of expressions tied to water and seafaring, like "dat staat als een paal boven water," allowing for interesting insights into Dutch culture and language usage.

In Dutch culture, there is an interesting way of expressing extreme irritation towards someone - it is called "taping someone behind the wallpaper" (iemand achter het behang plakken). This phrase conveys a desire to temporarily distance oneself from someone who is found to be exceedingly bothersome. The origin of this expression can be traced back to a renowned Dutch novel titled "Polletje Piekhaar" by Willem van Iependaal, published in 1935. This book was immensely popular at the time and widely read by many. Within its pages, a character proclaims, "If she was mine, I'd tape her behind the wallpaper and move home" (As ‘t de mijne was, plakte ‘k ze achter ‘t behang en ging verhuize’). Over time, the phrase was shortened, and the reference to moving homes was dropped, resulting in the commonly used saying today.

Similarly, when someone is in a sour mood, the Dutch have a saying that implies they "used the wrong leg to get out of bed" (met het verkeerde been uit bed stappen). Initially, the original expression was "to step out of bed on the left side" or "to use the left leg to get out of bed." This phrase originates from the longstanding belief that anything associated with the left side was considered evil or bad in traditional cultural perceptions.

It is fascinating to observe how language and expressions evolve over time, often reflecting historical connotations and cultural norms. Both of these Dutch sayings offer unique insights into their culture and provide colorful ways of expressing common emotions.

This concept has its origins in the Bible, specifically in the story of the crucifixion. According to the biblical account, there were two thieves crucified alongside Jesus. The thief positioned on the right side of Jesus had a change of heart and repented, resulting in his admission to heaven. In contrast, the thief positioned on the left side remained unrepentant and, as a consequence, went to hell. In this context, the term "wrong" became closely associated with "left" and eventually replaced it.

To illustrate a similar concept of unexpected benefits or good fortune, let's consider a Dutch expression. When starting a new job and receiving a bonus early on, a Dutch person might say you've "fallen with your nose in the butter" (met je neus in de boter vallen). This expression has been in use since at least the 17th century and signifies the experience of receiving an unanticipated advantage.

Originally, this saying did not involve butter, but rather fat (vet), which was seen as a valuable and prized item during that time period. In historical context, people were forbidden from consuming meat and dairy products during the Lenten season. However, individuals with sufficient financial means could obtain a letter of indulgence from the church, granting them permission to circumvent this rule. Consequently, they could enjoy the luxury of consuming fat, which was considered a treat. Over time, the saying evolved to reference butter, which at the time was regarded as an equally valuable commodity.

Thus, both the biblical reference to the good and bad thieves and the Dutch expression reveal how certain words or phrases have developed and acquired symbolic meanings within different cultural contexts.

The term "letters of indulgence" were jokingly referred to as "letters of butter" (boterbrieven). This nickname implied that those who possessed these letters were fortunate or had been highly favored. Similarly, the expression "cup of solace" (bakkie troost or bakkie pleur) in Dutch is used to offer someone a comforting cup of coffee. The exact origin of this idiom is disputed between Rotterdam and The Hague. One theory suggests that it may have originated from the harbor of Rotterdam, where workers would throw everything, including their coffee cups (as pleuren means to hurl). Another possibility is that the term "bakkie troost" comes from the French word "pleurer" (meaning to cry), emphasizing the idea of coffee offering solace. A third explanation connects "pleur" to the Dutch phrase "oppleuren" (meaning to sod off), suggesting that offering coffee after a meal subtly signals that it's time for guests to leave. Although this latter explanation is less likely, it is still a plausible theory.

A common expression among Dutch people is "helaas, pindakaas!", which roughly translates to "unfortunately, peanut butter!" or "dommage, frommage!" in French. This idiom, dating back to the 1980s, is used in a nonchalant manner to convey a sense of disappointment. While it is debated who first used it, what is known is that teenagers popularized it as slang. The word "pindakaas" was chosen simply because it rhymes with "helaas". There is a possibility that this idiom is related to Yiddish rhyming slang, such as "fancy-schmancy", but this connection is not certain.

Another Dutch expression, "kiplekker", is used to describe a feeling of being in excellent health and feeling great. This expression originates from the 19th century and is often associated with the notion of feeling as good as chicken tastes. Another interpretation suggests that it may have been poorly translated from the Indonesian phrase "ayam senang". "Ayam" means chicken, and "senang" can convey both a sense of ease and pleasure. In Dutch, "chicken" is translated to "kip" and "senang" is synonymous with "lekker" or "easy".

In that context, your life is as enjoyable as that of a chicken. While the English commonly use expressions such as 'easy peasy, lemon squeezy' or 'as easy as pie', the Dutch have their own unique saying: 'it's a little one-cent whistle' (een fluitje van een cent). This saying should be taken quite literally, as it refers to a small whistle that could be purchased for just one cent. These whistles were simple and inexpensive, thereby giving rise to the connotation of something being as easy as a one-cent whistle.

In Dutch slang, when a person from the Netherlands encounters misfortune or trouble, they may say that they are "the cigar" (de sigaar zijn). Other terms used to express a similar sentiment include "banana" (pisang), "sjaak," "screwed" (de pineut), "penis" (lul), or "spool" (klos). Interestingly, during the early 20th century, "cigar," "sjaak," and "pisang" were all slang words for the male reproductive organ, while "spool" or "kloot" likely referred to a testicle. Though the precise origin of this saying is unknown, it is possible that it emerged from a combination of Bargoens (a criminal jargon language) and slang commonly used by soldiers.

It is intriguing to explore the richness and diversity of language and how idiomatic expressions can vary across cultures.

The military personnel utilized the term 'the penis' as a means of identifying someone who had been assigned an unfavorable task. It is widely known that the Dutch have a strong affinity for their bicycles. However, there is a peculiar expression in their vocabulary - 'oh, op die fiets!' - which is used when someone is explaining something. This phrase essentially translates to 'oh, like so'. Interestingly enough, this idiomatic phrase emerged relatively recently, in the 1980s. While it is believed to have originated as street slang in Rotterdam, not much else is known about its exact origins.

Moving on to another Dutch expression, there is a saying that goes 'niet geschoten is altijd mis', which can be translated as 'not having shot always means a miss'. This phrase is used to describe missed opportunities in the Netherlands and has its roots in the 20th century. The expression draws a metaphorical parallel to hunting, implying that not taking a shot at something guarantees failure. Unfortunately, the specific reasons behind the development of this saying remain unknown.