My understanding has always been that the only thing one is likely to get
from a Dutch Uncle is advice, which, while firmly or even sternly given, is
kindly meant.
Although I have never associated the phrase with unwanted advice, it is
sadly true that most people who need to be talked to by a Dutch Uncle are
unlikely to want advice of any sort, so I can see how that idea may have
crept in.
The 'unexpected benefactor' idea is new to me.
Roger Ayers
----- Original Message -----
From: "Connell, Tim" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 11:23 AM
Subject: Times Higher Education Supplement query
Could the Membership help me with an odd query?
I wrote a review of the new Partridge Dictionary of Slang for the THES
last week and commented on their definition of a Dutch Uncle, which is
someone who gives stern and possibly unwanted advice.
Now my understanding of a Dutch Uncle is someone who turns up
unexpectedly as a benefactor, rather in the style of a Victorian
melodrama.
Any views would be most appreciated!
Incidentally, I slipped in a small homage to Kipling; the editors
commented that much of Eric Partridge's original work was with military
sources, but that these are now rather outmoded, particularly the names
of long-forgotten regiments. Not wishing to sift through both volumes of
the earlier edition I used the Fly-by-Nights and the Tyneside Tail
Twisters as examples, as these were clearly in the same tradition...
Tim Connell
________________________
Professor T J Connell
Director of Language Studies
City University
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
England
tel: +44 (0)207 040 8265
fax: +44 (0)207 040 8575
www.city.ac.uk/languages
|