Dutch Language Blog
Menu
Search

A Sterk Verhaal: What’s Strong About This Dutch Story?Posted byon Aug 30, 2021 inDutch Language,Dutch Vocabulary

In this post, we’ll explore the curiosity of the Dutch wordsterk verhaal(“strong story”, a tall tale). What’ssterkabout it? And by extension, what’s tall about the English story? Let’s explore.

Skiing in Yugoslavia

sterk verhaal tall tale strong story curious Dutch

Probably what my dad looked like when this happened! (Photo byClement DelhayeonUnsplash)

This weekend, I told thesterke verhaalthat my dad told me many times. It’s a fun one, so why not!
Back when Yugoslavia was still a thing, he went there with a couple of buddies to ski a notoriously difficult slope. It was not prepared, totally off the beaten path. Steep as it gets, with tall rocky walls on either side, you had no other choice than to go straight down. The slope was so narrow, in fact, that you couldn’t even turn or angle your skis to slow down. And all that without knowing what comes after this narrow passage. He tells this story with pride, how that was a crazy adventure, but also something he does not recommend. Way too dangerous!

While we all do crazy stuff, I have a hard time believing all the extreme details. Was it really THAT narrow? Sounds a bit like asterk verhaal! But what’ssterkor, for that matter, tall about that story? Since when is length or strength associated with believability of a story?

That’s some tall language!

sterk verhaal tall tale strong story curious Dutch

Photo byMax DelsidonUnsplash

While I came up short on my search for an explanation of the Dutch origin of thesterk verhaal, the English “tall story”appears to come froma wider meaning of tall in earlier times. In the early 1600s, tall also meant “lofty, grand”. And, in contrast to “small-talk”, which is a term that was introduced in the 18th century, tall talk meant using flowery and high-flown language. As such words are sometimes also perceived as superlatives (for example, “a big building” compared to “a massive construction”), a story that used such “tall” language over time became a story with elements that were embellished to sound more than they actually were.

It seems that the Dutch wordsterkalso received a wider definition in the 13th century, according toWiktionary.org. That wider definition meant afiguurlijke betekenis(figurative, metaphorical meaning). So, asterk verhaalprobably found its origin here. Perhaps this flows from the same notion as “tall”. Strong language in English means that it contains expletives. Asterk verhaal, other than the meaning discussed here, also simply means a strong story, a story with good plot, substance, style, etcetera. So the origin ofsterkin this sense probably comes back to use of unnecessarily fancy or flowery language to bring the message across. Just that instead of tall, the Dutch usesterk!

By the way, thesterk verhaalis not to be confused with abroodjeaapverhaal, which we’ve discussed here on the blog before. Such a story is nonsense, but is believed to be true. Asterk verhaalis perceived by the listener to be an exaggeration of the facts, and is either not believed at all, or is questioned in some of its parts.

Tags: ,
Keep learning Dutch with us!

构建词汇,练习pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Try it Free Find it at your Library
Share this:
Pin it

About the Author:Sten

Hi! I am Sten, both Dutch and German. For many years, I've written for the German and the Dutch blogs with a passion for everything related to language and culture. It's fascinating to reflect on my own culture, and in the process allow our readers to learn more about it! Besides blogging, I am a German-Dutch-English translator, animator and filmmaker.