Interesting origin of phrases - Going Dutch

Meaning

"Going Dutch" is a term that indicates that each person participating in a group activity pays for themselves, rather than any person paying for anyone else, particularly in a restaurant bill. It is also called Dutch date, Dutch treat. There are two possible senses—each person paying their own expenses, or the entire bill being split (divided evenly) between all participants.

Origin

The origin of the phrase "to go Dutch" is traced back to the 17th century when England and the Netherlands fought constantly over trade routes and political boundaries. The British abused the "Dutch" as stingy. The phrase "going Dutch" probably originates from Dutch etiquette. In the Netherlands, it is common to pay separately when dating.

The Dutch were already internationally known as scrooges, and English rivalry with The Netherlands especially during the period of the Anglo-Dutch Wars gave rise to several phrases including 'Dutch' that promote certain negative stereotypes. Examples include' Dutch courage', 'Dutch uncle' and 'Dutch wife'.

It is also said that Dutch soldiers would have a drink the night before a battle  and the expenses would be paid separately by each of them. This was done to avoid being in debt to a colleague if they were killed in the subsequent battle. Hence this can also be treated as origin of the term "Going Dutch".

One other possibility is that Holland has always had the custom of people being treated as equals. Therefore if two people go out for a meal and they both have an enjoyable experience they both pay half.

Fun facts

• In Middle Eastern cultures, "going Dutch" is seen as being extremely rude.
• In Afghanistan and Iran, it is considered taboo to ask people to pay their own bills on a treat.
• In North Korea and South Korea the person of the highest social standing, such as a boss or an elder figure pays the bill. This not only applies in a 1 to 1 situation but also in groups.
• In Colombia, this practice is referred to as "estilo Americano" meaning “The American way”.
• In Turkish is hesabı Alman usulü ödemek, which means "to pay the bill the German way"
• In France, it is close to "faire moite-moite", which means "each one pays half of the bill". This usually does not include women who should not pay for men in French tradition.
• In Egypt, it is called Englizy, which translates into "English style".
• In Argentina 'pagar a la americana' (pay American style) is the most common way of expressing this idea.
• In Panama the phrase mita y mita literally "half and half" refers to both "going Dutch" and to splitting the check equally.
• In Hindi this practice is called as TTMM - Tu Tera Mein Mera Hindi meaning 'You pay yours and I pay mine'.
• In Pakistan, Going Dutch is sometimes referred to as the "American System".
• In Japan, the phrase 兵隊勘定（へいたいかんじょう） (heitaikanjō) is used, which can translate loosely as "soldier's calculation".
• In Thailand, the practice is referred to as อเมริกันแชร์ "American Share".