Dutch linguistic influence on military terms
Historically, many Dutch military terms have been influential and adopted as loanwords by many other languages all over the world. Although most of these words are connected to naval activities, some (such as "forlorn hope") relate to land warfare.
Some Dutch naval terms adopted by the various languages include:
From Dutch "boei" meaning shackle |
|---|
Language |
Variant |
|---|---|
English |
Buoy |
German |
Boje |
French |
Bouée |
Italian |
Boa |
Danish |
Bøje |
Polish |
Boja |
Swedish |
Boj (Buoy), Boja (Shackle) |
From Dutch "kielhalen " meaning to drag along the keel |
|---|
Language |
Variant |
|---|---|
English |
Keelhauling |
German |
Kielholen |
Norwegian |
Kjølhaling |
Swedish |
Kölhalning |
Finnish |
Kölihaalaus (likely borrowed from Swedish form) |
From Dutch "dek " meaning "covering" |
|---|
Language |
Variant |
|---|---|
English |
Deck |
German |
Deck |
Norwegian |
Dekk |
Swedish |
Däck |
Other words (in English) include:
- Drill, from the verb drillen, to train/instruct
- Freebooter (Pirate), from vrijbuiter.
- Yacht, from jacht meaning hunt
- Pump, from pomp.
- Sloop, from sloep.
- Skipper, from schipper meaning someone who ships.
- Keel, from kiel
- Maelstrom, from maalstroom meaning "strong current"
- Forlorn hope, from verloren hoop "lost bunch".
- Cruiser, from the verb to cruise from Dutch doorkruisen meaning to sail or go to.
- Brandy, from Dutch brandewijn, burning wine.
And many more.
References:
- Other Wikipedia articles
- http://www.etymonline.com/
See also
- List of English words of Dutch origin