double Dutch

noun

Synonyms of double Dutchnext
1
: unintelligible language
2
: the jumping of two jump ropes rotating in opposite directions simultaneously

Synonyms

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Girls playing double Dutch In this picture by Wayne F. Miller, young girls play double Dutch in the snow in 1940s Chicago. — Kayla Randall, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024 Travel & Experiences Recess for grown-ups: Join these L.A. groups for double Dutch, dodgeball and more Sept. 20, 2024 My situation provided a clear conundrum: Copious research shows that strength training, particularly for older adults, is a critical piece of the health and longevity puzzle. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double Dutch was in 1876

Rhymes for double Dutch

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Browse Nearby Words

double dummy
double Dutch
double duty
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Cite this Entry

“Double Dutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20Dutch. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on double Dutch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about double Dutch

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