Many of these idioms are potentially offensive. They can be taken as racial slurs. They tend to mean opposite of what the words might lead you to believe they mean. Some of them mean the person is talking gibberish, but comparing the person to a race that was thought inferior at one point. While they may be used today, you must realize the meaning behind them was not meant to be any form of a compliment.

It’s double Dutch This means 'It's nonsense. I can't understand a word of it" This is known, but old-fashioned. Dutch arrangement No. I've never heard this. I don't think it exists. Dutch end No. I've never heard this. I don't think it exists. Dutch courage It means the false courage someone gets from drinking alcohol. This is known, but old-fashioned. Dutch medal No. I've never heard this. I don't think it exists. To go Dutch It means to split the bill equally when you go out for a meal. You might occasionally hear this. Dutch treat No. I don't think this is used much. It is a more unusual version of the phrase above. Irish goodbye I had never heard of this. My dictionary tells me it's American, and means leave a party without saying goodbye. To take French leave This has a similar meaning to the above, but it isn't often used. I'm aware of this, but it is never used any more. I only know this because it's amusing that it is the exact opposite of the equivalent French expression. Chinese whispers Yes. This is used. We use it to refer to a message becoming distorted as it passes from one person to another. It's often used to refer to false rumours. To be an Indian giver I've never heard this. My dictionary tells me it is an American expression. James has given an explanation below. It would not be understood elsewhere. .................... A fairly useless list, 'insomma' ! Of that whole list, the only one which is commonly used is 'Chinese whispers'. A few others (going Dutch and double Dutch) are known, but not often used nowadays. A couple of the others (Irish goodbye and Indian giver) are exclusively American. By the way, I agree with James that many of these are racist and potentially insulting nowadays. They date back to a time when it was acceptable to describe another person's language as sounding like nonsense or to stereotype another race as being untrustworthy. 'Indian giver' sounds especially offensive.

Hi Martina, Some of these are commonly used but are politically incorrect (rude) for the nationality that is spoken about. I wouldn’t recommend using them. Alice

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I have only heard to go Dutch in South Africa which means to split the bill at a restaurant or some other place.