Is That A Monkey Up Your Sleeve, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me? If you’ve ever heard the Dutch phrase de aap komt uit de mouw, you may be wondering if it’s a local custom to go around with a monkey up your sleeve. Alas, it’s not the case. The Dutch think of the monkey as the spirit animal of mischief and shenanigans, and showing the “monkey up your sleeve” typically means revealing a hidden motive or agenda, or uncovering a secret. It’s a lot like the English phrase “let the cat out of the bag”.
Did You Know: Carrots are Orange because of the Dutch? Carrots in nature are typically purple, yellow, and white. When the Dutch began cultivating them in the 16th century, they came in a wide range of colors, and were very seldom orange. As Dutch farmers cultivated carrots for size, consistency, and other desirable attributes, the orange color emerged. Farmers called these improved carrots a tribute to William of Orange, and the royal family appreciated the patriotic gesture. In 1721, Dutch farmers perfected the Long Orange Dutch carrot. The cultivar was further developed in Hoorn into the Horn carrot, which is the genetic ancestor of all modern western carrots cultivated today. Today, carrots grown and sold around the world still reflect this patriotic gesture from so long ago.
