Why do they call people from the Netherlands dutch?

Answer 1

In the past one of the languages used in the Netherlands was 'Duutsch' also used in Germany. For the English were in that time the Netherlands and the Germans the same so we were all called 'Dutch'. Later on it became different and the Netherlands was in that time more important to the English than the Germans. So they had to do something and they named the people from Deutschland Germans and they kept using Dutch for people from Nederland. Because the Dutch were more important in that time (for the English) than the Germans they gave the Germans a different name (the most important keeps the name).

Answer 2

Comes from the German 'duetsch'.

At first the English language used Dutch to refer to any or all of the Germanic speakers on the European mainland. Gradually the meaning shifted to the Germanic people they had most contact with, the people from the Republic of the Netherlands, the Dutch.

Answer 3

The question should be whyis The Netherlands called Holland? North and South Holland are just two out of twelve provinces of the Netherlands. The word Netherlands means low lying land. The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg are often refered to as the Low Countries. These all once once formed part of a larger country called the Netherlands. Holland has long been an acceptable alternative informal name for The Netherlands including most those who live there and is not considered as incorrect or potentially insulting as refering to Great Britain as "England". Yet care should still be exercised as some Netherlanders, especially among Frisians, may still not appreciate Holland being used as a synonym for their country.

Answer 4

Our formal name as a nation is The Holland. Holland is formally only 2 areas (Provincies) known as south and north holland. These two are the nearest to Britain so maybe thats why most individuals contact it Holland.

You will have to ask a British terminology specialist why the terminology and the individuals are known as Nederlander as we contact ourselves Nederlanders as in Nederlander our nation is Nederland.

Answer 5

In the seventeenth century, people living in the low countries were called Nederduits or Nederduitsche (low German). English sailors being the excellent linguists they are got the pronunciation wrong and from "Dowtsch" heard "Dutch". The rest is history.

That said, in modern Dutch, the word for Dutch people is actually "Nederlander," a word which WOULD translate easily to "Netherlander."

In South Africa where seventeenth century Dutch evolved into Afrikaans, the two principal churches, retain the "Nederduits" title. The Dutch Reformed Church is still called Die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk whilst in the Transvaal, the Voortrekkers established the even more conservative Nederduitse Hervormde Kerk.

Answer 6

The term "Dutch" is a slang term for the Netherlanders. It just means German and is cognate with Deutsch.

Answer 7

They are called Dutch because they are citizens of the Netherlands

Answer 8

They don't call themselves Dutch. The English call them Dutch because of a mistake with Germany (Deutschland). The Dutch call themselves Nederlanders.