Dutch courage,also known aspot-valianceorliquid courage,refers tocouragegained fromintoxicationwithalcohol.[1]
Uses
editCriminal
editAlcohol is occasionally used by criminals as a tool to commit alcohol-related offenses. These may includealcohol-facilitated sexual assaults,drunk driving,thefts (for example motor vehicle thefts), or alcohol-fueled robberies andviolent crimes.However, Dutch courage defense is not a validintoxication defense.
Consuming alcohol prior to visiting female sex workers is a common practice among some men.[2]Also, sex workers often resort to using drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. However, femalesex workersin low- and middle-income countries have high rates of harmful alcohol use, which is associated with increased risk of unprotected sex andsexually transmitted infections.[3]
Hookup culture
edit
Alcohol use among college studentsis often used as "liquid courage" in thehookup culture,for them to make a sexual advance in the first place.[4]: 200 However, a recent trend called "dry dating" is gaining popularity to replace "liquid courage", which involves going on dates without consuming alcohol.[5][6][7]
Warfare
edit
Alcohol has a long association of military use, and has been called "liquid courage" for its role in preparing troops for battle. It has also been used to anaesthetize injured soldiers, celebrate military victories, and cope with the emotions of defeat.
Military and veteran populations face significant challenges in addressing the co-occurrence ofPTSDandalcohol use disorder.While existing interventions show promise, more research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness for this specific population, and new tailored interventions should be developed and evaluated to better meet their unique needs.[8]
History
editThe popular story dates the etymology of the termDutch courageto English soldiers fighting in theAnglo-Dutch Wars[9](1652–1674) and perhaps as early as theThirty Years' War(1618–1648). One version states thatjenever(or Dutch gin) was used by English soldiers for its calming effects before battle, and for its purported warming properties on the body in cold weather. Another version has it that English soldiers noted the bravery-inducing effects of jenever on Dutch soldiers.[10][11]
Gin is a Dutch invention, and was first distilled in Holland in the 16th century. The flavouring in gin comes fromjuniper berries.The Dutch word for 'juniper' is 'jenever', which gotAnglicisedto 'ginever' and then finally to 'gin'.[11]Gin would go on to become popular in Britain thanks to KingWilliam III of England(William of Orange,r. 1689–1702), who was alsoStadtholderof the Netherlands.
See also
edit- Double Dutch
- Dutch uncle
- Going Dutch(a.k.a. Dutch treat, Dutch date)
References
edit- ^"Where does the phrase 'going Dutch' originate?".The Guardian.Retrieved26 December2022.
- ^Yang C, Latkin C, Luan R, Nelson K (February 2013)."Factors associated with drinking alcohol before visiting female sex workers among men in Sichuan Province, China".AIDS and Behavior.17(2): 568–573.doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0260-8.PMC4017933.PMID22806054.
- ^Beksinska A, Karlsen O, Gafos M, Beattie TS (2023)."Alcohol use and associated risk factors among female sex workers in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis".PLOS Global Public Health.3(6): e0001216.doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0001216.PMC10263362.PMID37310993.
- ^Kimmel M (2008).Guyland.New York: Harper.ISBN978-0-06-083134-9.
- ^Klein J (11 February 2022)."Dry dating: The rise of sober love and sex".bbc.
- ^McAlpine D (7 November 2011)."The Secret to Great Dating This Winter? Cut The Booze".HuffPost UK.
- ^Thompson SJ (10 January 2019)."Trend for sober dating sees an increase as singles seek love during Dry January".Daily Record.
- ^Dworkin, ER; Bergman, HE; Walton, TO; Walker, DD; Kaysen, DL (2018)."Co-Occurring Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder in U.S. Military and Veteran Populations".Alcohol Research: Current Reviews.39(2): 161–169.PMC6561402.PMID31198655.
- ^"Dutch".Oxford English Dictionary(2nd ed.).Oxford University Press.1989.
- ^Byrne, Eugene (26 July 2013)."What is the origin of the phrase 'Dutch Courage'?".History Extra.Retrieved26 December2022.
- ^abMartin, Gary."Dutch courage".Phrases.UK.Retrieved26 December2022.
Further reading
edit- Discovery Channel's "How Do They Do It"
- Andrews, S (2007). "Textbook Of Food & Beverage Management", Tata McGraw-Hill (264).