When going Greek won’t be double Dutch

On the knotty issue of who should pay, the term ‘ Going Dutch’ is often the best bet: that is, everyone equally splitting the total amount owed or asking for separate bills. Why the people of the Netherlands have been credited with this egalitarian solution to a payment issue — at least by English speakers — is unclear, especially since there is apparently no similar term in Dutch at all. Indeed, the surfeit of Dutch allusions in the English language, from Dutch oven to Dutch courage, Dutch uncle to Dutch wife and double Dutch, demands closer examination.

Even more curious is the fact that in other languages and countries, this practice appears to be always ascribed to others, implying distaste for the convention. So, the Turks call it German, some Spanish deem it to be Catalan, the Thais believe it to be American, South Americans think it Roman, and, of course, the English (language, at least) blamed it on the Dutch. But now, the Dutch can take heart that the financial transaction lexicon may soon welcome a new allusion, featuring a nation that is already serendipitously linked to tragedy, incomprehension and suspicious offers, at least in the English language. Going Greek could soon mean one better than going Dutch: refusing to pay. Miffed Greeks, of course, could Go Deutsche and refuse to bend.