double Dutch
noun
1
: unintelligible language
2
: the jumping of two jump ropes rotating in opposite directions simultaneously
Synonyms
Examples of double Dutch in a Sentence
The girls were playing double Dutch on the sidewalk.
the fast-talking con man spouts some double Dutch, and it is only afterwards that the victim realizes that he's given two twenties for a ten
Recent Examples on the Web
The group mixes in some hula-hooping, African hopscotching and line dancing, but double Dutch is the core.
—
Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post, 26 July 2023
Around noon, just north of the White House, scores of people flocked to Black Lives Matter Plaza to eat, dance and double Dutch.
—Samantha Latson, Washington Post, 19 June 2023
Tamron has done things like crushed double Dutch and boxed with Creed 3 star Jonathan Majors on camera.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 11 May 2023
Rent paddleboats, check out performers on multiple stages, try crafting, play double Dutch, experiment with interactive art, or hang out in the beer and wine garden.
—Michael J. West, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023
The Step Original Circuit Size Aerobic Platform ($48.29, originally $69.99; amazon.com) Remember those childhood afternoons playing hopscotch, racing each other across the playground and trying your luck at double Dutch?
—Lindsay Tigar, CNN Underscored, 25 Mar. 2021
That Black people frolic, double Dutch, swim and roller-skate – and that’s all a revolutionary act too.
—Osahon Akpata, Essence, 26 May 2022
As old school music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s played in the background, the women gathered jump ropes and began doing double Dutch.
—Janice Neumann, chicagotribune.com, 9 Sep. 2021
So that’s everything from double Dutch to more formal modern dance.
—Adam Green, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2021
See More
Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post, 26 July 2023
Around noon, just north of the White House, scores of people flocked to Black Lives Matter Plaza to eat, dance and double Dutch.
—Samantha Latson, Washington Post, 19 June 2023
Tamron has done things like crushed double Dutch and boxed with Creed 3 star Jonathan Majors on camera.
—Korin Miller, Women's Health, 11 May 2023
Rent paddleboats, check out performers on multiple stages, try crafting, play double Dutch, experiment with interactive art, or hang out in the beer and wine garden.
—Michael J. West, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023
The Step Original Circuit Size Aerobic Platform ($48.29, originally $69.99; amazon.com) Remember those childhood afternoons playing hopscotch, racing each other across the playground and trying your luck at double Dutch?
—Lindsay Tigar, CNN Underscored, 25 Mar. 2021
That Black people frolic, double Dutch, swim and roller-skate – and that’s all a revolutionary act too.
—Osahon Akpata, Essence, 26 May 2022
As old school music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s played in the background, the women gathered jump ropes and began doing double Dutch.
—Janice Neumann, chicagotribune.com, 9 Sep. 2021
So that’s everything from double Dutch to more formal modern dance.
—Adam Green, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double Dutch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near double Dutch
Cite this Entry
“Double Dutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20Dutch. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on double Dutch
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about double Dutch
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share