Growing up in Amsterdam, you’d probably expect dishes like ‘stamppot’ on the menu at home(a typical Dutch stew, with mashed potatoes and kale, endive or carrots) but in my mum’s kitchen, French dishes dominated. They adore the wines from Bordeaux and Bourgogne, the French cuisine and the summerhouses with a view onto the vineyards. And most likely why the Dutch are complete Francophiles. This is one of the reasons why we have adopted so many French words. This can also be seen on the Dutch coat of arms ‘Je maintiendrai!’ meaning ‘I will maintain!’ A Dutch stew or Quiche Lorraine? From 1810 until 1813 The Netherlands belonged to France and French was, in addition to Dutch, the official language of The Netherlands. From the late Middle Ages the French language was spoken by the Dutch elite. It all started with ‘the little corporal’ Napoleon Bonaparte, who annexed The Netherlands to the French kingdom. Or isn’t it ? Taking a closer look, it is filled with ‘Dutchified’ French words: bagage (luggage), paraplu (umbrella), chauffeur (driver), portemonnee (wallet). De chauffeur wacht op ons!’ This is just an ordinary conversation in Dutch between two people travelling. ‘Heb je je bagage? Ik neem de paraplu wel.
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