Brewer's: Dutch Uncle

I will talk to you like a Dutch uncle. Will reprove you smartly. Uncle is the Latin notion of patruus, “an uncle,” “severe guardian,” or “stern castigator.” Hence Horace, 3 Od. xii. 3, “Metuentes patruæ verbera linguæ ” (dreading the castigations of an uncle's tongue); and 2 Sat. iii. 88, “Ne sis patruus mihi”

(Don't come the uncle over me).

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