subs. Pot-valiancy. Cf., Fielding’s DUTCH-DEFENCE = sham-defence.
1872. SPENCER, The Study of Sociology, ch. viii., p. 185 (9 ed.). A dose of brandy, by stimulating the circulation, produces DUTCH COURAGE, as it is called.
1887. MRS. H. LOVETT CAMERON, Neck or Nothing, ch. iv., p. 50. Bob waited half a second for an answer, glancing uneasily at his friend’s face, and then he dashed on again with a sort of DUTCH COURAGE, for, to tell the truth he wasn’t quite sure how Jack would take it.
