double dutch
dou
ˈdʌ
da
ble
bəl
bēl
dutch
dʌʧ
dach
/dˈʌbəl dˈʌtʃ/

Definition & Meaning of "double dutch"in English

Double dutch
01

speech, writing, or ideas that are nonsense, incomprehensible, or unintelligible

double dutch definition and meaning
Slang

What is the origin of the term "double Dutch" and how is it used?

Double Dutch is a slang term that appeared in English by the 17th–18th centuries to describe speech, writing, or ideas that are nonsense, incomprehensible, or unintelligible. The phrase comes from English speakers' perception that the Dutch language was difficult or confusing, so "double" emphasizes extreme incomprehensibility. Historically, it was derogatory toward communication or ideas, not necessarily people, and today it remains informal, used to describe anything confusing, overly complicated, or nonsensical rather than polite or technical language.

Examples
That explanation was complete double Dutch.
02

the difficult version of jump rope in which players jump over two ropes that are swung in a crisscross manner by two turners

Grammatical Information
animacy status
inanimate
Composition
Compound
uncountable
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