June 8th, 2011
“The song’s title refers to a 1880s colloquialism for a partner or friend. The phrase has a number of etymologies; two Cockney rhyming slang explanations identify the phrase as coming from “dutch plate” (“mate”) or “Duchess of Fife” (“wife”). Chevalier, however, claimed that his wife’s face reminded him of the clock face of a Dutch clock.”

“The song’s title refers to a 1880s colloquialism for a partner or friend. The phrase has a number of etymologies; two Cockney rhyming slang explanations identify the phrase as coming from “dutch plate” (“mate”) or “Duchess of Fife” (“wife”). Chevalier, however, claimed that his wife’s face reminded him of the clock face of a Dutch clock.”

19th Century Music New York System(s)
Sean's journalism, fiction, and essays have appeared in:

  • The Brooklyn Rail
  • The Awl
  • The Rumpus
  • 3 Quarks Daily
  • The Millions
  • Vol 1. Brooklyn
  • Pop Matters
  • Lapham's Quarterly Deja Vu

    • & Other spots too.
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