Lacht ze, huilt ze of kotst ze op de bank?

Why are Dutch words like “kotsen” and “poepen” so direct?

Dutch is famous for using direct vocabulary where English speakers default to euphemism. Kotsen (“to vomit”) and poepen (“to poop”) sit in everyday adult Dutch speech without the awkwardness English attaches to them. Where English speakers reach for euphemisms like “throw up” or “go to the bathroom,” Dutch speakers tend to use the plain word. The directness fits a wider Dutch self-image often called bluntheid (“bluntness”).

In this clip, a friend watches a baby on a couch and asks the camera, “is ze nou aan het huilen of is ze nou aan het kotsen?” (“is she crying or vomiting?”), then adds “poepen kan natuurlijk ook” (“pooping is also possible”). The casual tone is the Dutch way.