Dutch uncle

American  

noun

Sometimes Offensive.

1. a person who criticizes or reproves with unsparing severity and frankness.

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Dutch uncle British  

noun

1. informal a person who criticizes or reproves frankly and severely

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Dutch uncle Idioms  

1. A stern, candid critic or adviser, as in When I got in trouble with the teacher again, the principal talked to me like a Dutch uncle. This expression, often put as talk to one like a Dutch uncle, presumably alludes to the sternness and sobriety attributed to the Dutch. [Early 1800s]

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Sensitive Note

Because Dutch is used here to describe someone manifesting the opposite of warm, affectionate, typically avuncular behavior, this term is sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Dutch. See also Dutch.

Etymology

Origin of Dutch uncle

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Dutch uncle

Last week the highly respected Henry Kaufman, a partner in Salomon Bros, who often serves as Wall Street's Dutch uncle, called for the declaration of a "national economic emergency."

From Time Magazine Archive

Up rose Price Commissioner Leon Henderson, addressed the scrapmen like a Dutch uncle.

From Time Magazine Archive

Lin Piao is the Guards' command er, but their Dutch uncle seems to be Premier Chou Enlai.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week he talked like a Dutch uncle to a Manhattan gathering of 600 medicos and hospital administrators.

From Time Magazine Archive

I took the occasion to talk to him like a Dutch uncle, though I don’t know exactly what that is.

From Our Next-Door Neighbors by Maniates, Belle Kanaris