DECREE OF THE HONORABLE AND WISE COUNCIL OF 
NUREMBERG CONCERNING THE PROHIBITION OF 
THE GREAT VICES OF BLASPHEMY, SWEARING, 
CAROUSING AND TREATING. M. D. XXVI . 1 
E. K. J. H. VOSS. 
The term “Dutch treat” is familiar to every American. As 
a rule the word Dutch as an attribute is not anything commend¬ 
able to brother Jonathan, thanks to those Hessian soldiers or 
rather hirelings bought by the English to fight the Americans. 
Even in the connection “Dutch treat” I am inclined to think that 
it is used more in an apologetic than in a complimentary man¬ 
ner, except possibly when suggested as a remedy for the evils 
of the American saloon which grew out of the treating system. 
The Germans, however did not always enjoy the reputation of 
paying only for their own drinks. The ordinance of the city of 
Nuremberg of the year 1526 which is reprinted on the follow¬ 
ing pages, will prove sufficiently that centuries ago the custom 
of treating was not only too well known in Germany, but that it 
had become a perfect nuisance, a menace for the whole nation,, 
so much so that law’s had to be enacted to put a stop to it. 
The word used in German for this abominable custom is : 
“zutrinkeri” and it means literally: to drink to somebody’s 
health, however with the silent understanding that he return the 
compliment. The English word “to treat” seemed to convey 
the underlying idea better than any other word I could find. 
1 Cf. also baader, Niirnberger Polizel ordnungen aus dem 13, bi 14.. 
Jahrhundert. Stuttgart 1861. pp. 114-115. (Bibliothek des Literaris- 
chen Vereins in Stuttgart, Vol. 63.) 
