AHC: Dutch called Netherlanders

Preferably with a POD after independence, make the Dutch be called Netherlanders, Netherlandic, Netherlandish, etc. (in English)
 
Get the English to call the Germans Dutch instead would help. 'German' is a slightly romantic way of referring to the Deutsche that only entered the English language in the late 14th century (from 1st century BC Latin), and it was used side-by-side with Dutch and Anglo-Norman 'Almain' until the 16th century. With German used for the folks living in Germany, 'Dutch' was open to be used in reference to the Netherlanders who had received political independence (along with a close relationship with England at the same time).

If the Germans would've kept being referred to as 'Dutch' (and 'German' means 'Germanic' like it does in most language), there's a lot of room for 'Netherlanders'. Unless, of course, someone didn't get the memo about not using 1st century Latin and starts calling them 'Belgians' instead. :rolleyes:
 
Get the English to call the Germans Dutch instead would help. 'German' is a slightly romantic way of referring to the Deutsche that only entered the English language in the late 14th century (from 1st century BC Latin), and it was used side-by-side with Dutch and Anglo-Norman 'Almain' until the 16th century.
I remember seeing a 17th-century or 18th-century verse quoted in a history book that referred to "the Rotterdam Dutch, and the Potsdam Dutch" (and "the goddam Dutch").
 
In the Middle Ages the Dutch were included within the term Flemings as part of the Low Countries. In the 18th century the term Hollanders was in use and was still being used into my grandfathers day on the east coast of England.

Netherlanders is a term that has been used but you are up against the English attitude to foreigners. You are Dutch from Holland even if you are not Deutsche nor necessarily come from Holland.

It is not that different from the French attitude. Anyone from the British isles is Anglais to my neighbours. Even the Irish are referred to as Anglais. I now find myself doing the same when speaking English. One of my Dutch neighbours was commenting that, when the locals realise they are speaking to a foreigner, they use English to her even when they know she is Dutch.

Possibly retaining a Netherlands royal family instead of renting Germans might help.
 
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