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Oct 8, 2010
This week's themeWords about relations
This week's words
nepotism
cozen
avuncular
cater-cousin
Dutch uncle
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with Anu GargDutch uncle
PRONUNCIATION:
(duch UNG-kuhl) 
MEANING:
noun: Someone who advises or criticizes frankly and sternly. ETYMOLOGY:
The English and the Dutch have fought in many wars during the 17th and 18th century. Even though they are friendly with each other now, the English language still carries traces of the past animosity, demeaning the Dutch: from Dutch treat (where each must pay his or her own share), Dutch gold (imitation gold), Dutch courage (courage inspired by liquor), and so on. A Dutch uncle is the opposite of a typical uncle (kind and indulgent), he's not avuncular. You can be sure, he doesn't believe in nepotism. USAGE:
"George Perry is the Dutch uncle some parents wished they could send their son to -- if the boy needed some straight talk."Rayne Wolfe; Lessons & Lambs; Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California); Jul 29, 2008.
Explore "Dutch uncle" in the Visual Thesaurus.
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