10 Common English Words You Didn’t Know Came from Dutch

"Even old New York was once New Amsterdam", the Four Lads sang in 1953. They were not wrong. In the early 17th century, Dutch fur traders sailed to North America and founded the colony of Nieuw Nederland, or New Netherland as it was known in English. On the southern tip of Manhattan, they founded their most famous settlement in North America: New Amsterdam. In 1664, the English seized New Amsterdam from the Dutch, but their presence in the area was so influential that it left its mark on the English language. You can still see and hear the Dutch presence in North America today. Many English words still in use today have their roots in the Dutch language. Let's take a look at this remarkable piece of Dutch history.

Harlem

Harlem is named after the Dutch city of Haarlem, located in the province of North Holland. It's part of the greater Amsterdam area and well worth a visit! Did you know that Haarlem is often considered the birthplace of the 17th century tulip craze? During this frenzy, tulips became so valuable that people traded their land just to get their hands on a single bulb! Today, Haarlem is still an important center for tulip cultivation, and in the spring, the blooming tulip fields are a popular tourist destination. Take a look at the Haarlem website here.

Brooklyn

One of the five boroughs of New York is named after Breukelen in the province of Utrecht. Today, Breukelen is home to the prestigious Nyenrode Business University, located in Nyenrode Castle. The municipality lies on the river Vecht. Traditional Dutch windmills can be found throughout the area. They played an important role in draining the surrounding land, as much of the Netherlands is below sea level. Visit the Breukelen website here.

Coney Island

Coney Island was originally called "Konijn Eiland" by the early Dutch settlers. It literally means "Rabbit Island" because the area was teeming with wild rabbits in the 17th century.

Santa Claus

Ok, this one is a bit tricky because everyone will tell you a different story. Some people say Santa Claus lives in Finland, while others say he was invented by Coca-Cola to boost their Christmas sales. The word "Santa Claus", however, comes from the Dutch "Sinterklaas", which is short for "Sint Nikolaas" or Saint Nicholas. He's the patron saint of children, and to this day, Sinterklaas is a major holiday in the Netherlands and Belgium. The holiday is traditionally celebrated on December 5 or 6, and the early Dutch settlers brought the tradition to North America. It was there that the word evolved into "Santa Claus".

Sleigh

Speaking of Christmas. Did you know that the word "sleigh" comes from the Dutch word "slee" or sled? The pronunciation is almost identical. The English word "sleigh" refers specifically to a vehicle pulled by animals, similar to its original Dutch use. Sleighs were the preferred mode of transportation for Dutch fur trappers as they made their way through the snowy landscapes of North America. That's why the word "sleigh" still conjures up classic winter images, often associated with Christmas.

Yacht

The Dutch were a great seafaring nation, so it will come as no surprise that many nautical terms actually come from the Dutch language. The word "yacht" comes from "jachtschip" or hunting ship. While today the term usually refers to pleasure boats, the original word referred to fast ships used to hunt down enemies. Over time, wealthy Dutch merchants began to buy yachts for pleasure rather than warfare. When the word entered the English language in the 17th century, it retained its association with pleasure and

Cruise

Similarly, "cruise" comes from the Dutch "kruisen" or "to cross," which was used to describe a particular sailing pattern used to travel across the seas. In its original maritime context, it referred to a zigzagging way of patrolling the waters to explore new areas or chase other ships. This tactic was essential during the Dutch Golden Age, when the Netherlands was a dominant global maritime power. By the late 19th century, "cruise" had lost its military connotations and came to refer primarily to pleasure and exploration.

Cookie

Any Englishman will tell you that the correct word is "biscuit." However, you can blame the Dutch for importing this word to America. "Cookie" comes from "koek" or "koekje". This word is used in Belgium and the Netherlands for any type of small baked goods and is related to the English word "cake". When Dutch immigrants settled in places like New Amsterdam in the 17th century, their culinary traditions influenced the local food culture. The word "cookie" eventually entered American English, while the word "biscuit" remained more common in British English for a similar type of treat. In the U.S., however, "cookie" became the standard term for these small baked goods.

Coleslaw

This staple of North American cuisine also has its roots in the Netherlands. The word itself is derived from the Dutch "koolsla" or "cabbage salad" and made its way from the Dutch dictionary to the American cookbook. Traditionally, Dutch "koolsla" was made from shredded cabbage mixed with oil and vinegar, and sometimes sugar. Over time, the word became "coleslaw." While today's recipe differs slightly from the original, the basic concept of a cabbage-based salad remains the same.

Boss

No, we're not talking about Hugo but about your supervisor. Believe it or not, "boss" is another word brought to the New World by the Dutch. It comes from "baas" and was originally used to refer to someone who was an expert in his or her field and had therefore gained some authority over others. In modern Dutch, "baas" can mean "leader" or "manager," a definition it retained when it entered the English language in the early 19th century.